On the question of vulnerability to power imbalances, children and teens are simply not in the same league. Given the highly anti-social traits of teens, the likelihood of the exploitation of a power imbalance is no more of a risk than it would be in many adult relationships. Indeed, there are many countries that still have horribly poor attitudes to women, where men are firmly in charge, and these countries do not outright prohibit sex between men and women.

In many places in the world, and in many specific contexts in most places, men have more power than women, yet no one suggests that as a remedy for this sex between men and women should be prohibited. Where power imbalances create risks of sexual exploitation, we should seek solutions that either address the imbalance, or reduce the risk of exploitation, or both. Broad prohibitions are neither necessary nor effective.