In State v. Barlow, 160 Vt. 527, 530, 630 A.2d 1299, 1301 (1993), a case that presented a challenge to 13 V.S.A. 3252, the Court noted that, underlying criminal statutes that serve to protect minors from sexual conduct, is the fact that, " 'during the formative years of childhood and adolescence, minors often lack the experience, perspective, and judgment to recognize and avoid choices that could be detrimental to them. ' " Accordingly, the state has an "obligation to protect its children from others and from themselves." Id. at 528, 630 A.2d at 1300.