Homo sapiens reproduction

Sexual maturity

Sexual maturity in humans is the biological, mental, psychological and emotional capability and readiness to engage in sexual activity and reproduce.

Biological maturity

Male metrics

The metrics that indicate the development of secondary sexual characteristics in males are:

Female metrics

The metrics that indicate the development of secondary sexual characteristics in females are:

Objections and refutations against them

1. Biological maturity is not a requirement

ʿAlī al-Ḥusaynī al-Sīstānī

ʿAlī al-Ḥusaynī al-Sīstānī is an Iranian-Iraqi Islamic scholar, one of the most senior scholars of Twelver Shia with the rank of Grand Ayatollah and marja' and has been described as the spiritual leader of Shia Muslims worldwide.

In his treatise on practical law (risālah), he states:

Ruling 2428. If a person marries a non-bālighah (prepubescent) girl, it is unlawful for him to have sexual intercourse with her until she has completed nine lunar years.

Ruling 2528. There is no ʿiddah for a girl who has not completed nine lunar years nor for a postmenopausal woman. This means that even if their husbands have had sexual intercourse with them, they can marry immediately after divorce.

The above two rulings appear to imply that ʿAlī al-Ḥusaynī al-Sīstānī believes that sexual intercourse with a prepubescent girl is permissible given that he has stipulated a fixed age regardless of the girl's actual biological maturity.

Ruhollah Khomeini

Ruhollah Khomeini was an Iranian Islamic revolutionary, politician and religious leader who served as the first supreme leader of Iran from 1979 until his death in 1989. He was the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the main leader of the Iranian Revolution and has been described as the "virtual face of Shia Islam in Western popular culture."

In his book Tahrīr al-Wasīlah (Liberation of the Intercession), which he wrote as a commentary on a traditional theological text and as a guide for Shia jurists on his opinions, he stated:

Issue #12: It is not permissible to have intercourse with the wife before completing nine years of age, whether the marriage is continuous (permanent) or interrupted (temporary).

The above ruling appears to imply that Ruhollah Khomeini believed that sexual intercourse with a prepubescent girl is permissible given that he has stipulated a fixed age regardless of the girl's actual biological maturity.

Mental maturity

Both sexes

Cognitive development

Definition: The development of the ability to think and understand.

Indicators: Ability to comprehend the consequences of sexual activity, including pregnancy and STIs, typically associated with the development of abstract thinking and reasoning.

Typical age range: Late adolescence (15-19 years).

Psychological maturity

Both sexes

Informed consent

Definition: The ability to understand and voluntarily agree to engage in sexual activity.

Indicators: Knowledge about sexual health, contraception, consent, and the emotional and physical implications of sexual activity.

Typical age range: Varies, but typically associated with maturity reached in late adolescence or early adulthood (16+ years).

Emotional maturity

Both sexes

Emotional intelligence

Definition: The ability to manage and understand emotions.

Indicators: Emotional stability, self-regulation, and understanding the emotional aspects of sexual relationships.

Relationship readiness

Definition: The ability to form and maintain healthy relationships.

Indicators: Ability to communicate effectively, trust, and mutual respect in a relationship.

Emotional readiness

Definition: Feeling prepared and secure in engaging in sexual activity.

Indicators: Confidence, lack of pressure or coercion, and emotional comfort with the decision to engage in sexual activity.

Legislation

1. Parental and guardian sex education

2. Children's sex education

3. Pre-marital, post-sexual-maturity consultation with marriage applicant, their parents or guardians, sexual psychologist and sexual doctor

4. Pre-marital, post-sexual-maturity psychiatric assessment of marriage applicant

5. Pre-marital, post-sexual-maturity marriage counsellor

6. Marriage registration by individuals authorised by law