Sheith Discourse - Tumblr Posts
It's not that Sheith in and on itself is paedophilic. If it was actually a thing when Keith was 17, Shiro would not be a paedo, if the relationship was purely romantic and he did not fantasize about doing anything inappropriate. It's paedophilia if you date or take advantage of a minor with the intent to have sexual relations. This is something that most anti's do not understand. Paedophilia is about intentions. If anything, it's the fandom who fetishize Sheith who make it seems so paedophilic. I am not calling Sheithens paedophiles. I have never interacted with a Sheithen, so it is not in my right to call any single Sheithen a paedophile, when I have no evidence other than fanart or fanfiction.
The real problem with Sheith is that Keith refers to Shiro as a brother. Not just once, but twice. The second time he calls him that, it's not "You're like a brother to me..." it's "You're my brother." And Kuron, who still believes he is Shiro though clouded by Haggar's mind control, falters at that. Sheithens love to point out the "I love you" line, but that's mostly because they can't comprehend the fact that platonic love exists. Yes, Keith is of age. Yes, it is legal. But, no, it is not something you should indulge in when it's not in their dynamic nor interactions to be considered romantic.
Another issue is that Shiro knew Keith from when he was 14. 14. And I saw a post defending this, saying that, just because you knew someone when they were younger, it doesn't mean that you can't go on to enter a relationship with them, but that is just... wrong. The example they used is meeting someone when you're both of age who you met in middle school/lower secondary. This is a terrible example, because Keith grew up with Shiro and saw him as an older brother - the only person to never give up on him. To Shiro, Keith is the 14-year-old boy he watched grow up. This is not the same as having a childhood friend who is your same age, which is why I do not ship Sheith.
It's not the 'paedophilia' that stops me form supporting this ship, it's the bond they have.
To be honest, I don’t get how shipping 18 year old Keith and 25 year old Shiro is pedophilia like so many people say. I know fiction can have an impact on reality (look at 50 shades of gray) and that an age gap like that would have some issues irl, but pedophilia? When the youngest is 18?
FYI, I’ve never shipped them and I don’t even watch voltron anymore. I’m just confused at this discourse I keep seeing.