The Confusion on Age of Consent Laws in America

[Lovinu20]

Age of consent laws are one of the most misunderstood laws in the United States. Most believe that one must reach legal adult status (be at least 18) in order to legally consent to sex, which is not true (well, it depends on the state). Each state has established their own age of consent, in other words, the age which a person is allowed to consent to sexual activities. In most states, age of consent is 16, but some states set theirs to 17 or 18.

In addition, there are close-in-age exemptions, unofficialy known as "Romeo and Juliet Clauses." This is when one person is under the age of consent and the other is within a reasonably and relatively close age range apart. This can also protect legal adults who engage in sexual activities with minors if the two are a certain amount of years apart in age. For example, in Colorado, a 15 year old can consent to someone no more than 10 years older, even though age of consent is 17 (Click for Proof). In Missouri, if the adult is under age 21, he or she can have sex with someone as young as 14.

There are all sorts of technicalities, such as the definitions of sexual acts and whether or not the activities were heterosexual or homosexual in nature. Also, someone can run into trouble if he or she holds a position of power or authority over a minor. While it is safe to say one must be 18 to partake in sex, that does not mean it is the law.

Speaking of laws, what about the moral or ethical views? While something may be deemed legal does not necissarily mean it is morally or ethically correct. In the United States, sex between legal adults and minors is heavily frowned upon. That does not mean that is considered taboo elsewhere. In many European countries, there is a more liberalized view on sex and broader age differences are excepted. Many Europeans state that it is not unusual to see a 16 year old dating a guy in his mid twenties! It just comes to show that culture has a major influence on ethics.

Really, if the person has not reached legal adulthood, also known as age of majority (not to be confused with age of consent), the parent or guardian has a say in regards to what their child does and who they interact with. They can forbid their child to be with someone for any reason whatsoever. Restraining orders can be filed and kidnapping charges can be placed upon the legal adult if he or she transports the minor somewhere without the parent's consent.

To summarize, it really depends on the jurisdiction and the parent.

As seen on the

[MayMing]

I think you Americans are so cute and totally stupid.
Do you know WHERE the word Minor comes from?
Minor Adult.
Yes, children, if you are old enough to get pregnant, you are biologically an adult.
I do think each young girl should have a Mentress, someone who will sort out the older men and test drive them for her young charge.
I do not want a 12 year old teaching my 12 year old Physics, I want someone over 40 with 20 years+ of experience.
That is the same for my daughter. I want an older man, one who can take his time. Who can stop even when he is rock hard.
I mostly want it for my 14 year old son. Most jerks are made. They are getting their sex education from p*rn , or another 14 year old. And the idea a 35 year old woman can molest and 15 year old boy is almost as funny as reading about that gay-bashing Republican Congressman caught in the bus terminal bathroom on his knees! Undoubtably he was in there Pray to Jesus for the poor misguided gays and got choked up with the spiritual beauty of the moment and some kind young man was just helping him clear his throat.
I was "opened" at 14. the men were all over fifty. They were kind, gentle and loved the chance to touch a young, beautiful body.
Yes, I had an unusual mother, who was raised like this by her mother. What we did was NOT publically acceptable, because in Male Dominated societies, a sexually aware woman is terrifying.

[molan]

Well I prefer my country's (European country's liberalized view), the legally consent is 15, the partner can be any age, however if the partner is over 18 AND holds a position of power or authority then if might be illegal, otherwise it's legal. The parents have a lot to say about minors, but sexual freedom is a civil right and they have no authority over their minors choice of partners - as it should be.

Either they are to young to have sex or they have a free personal choice, they can't be old enough and still be under their parents rules of the matter at the same time.

Our "European liberalized view" is way better in my view.

[aumshivashanti]

Your information is off my friend. I don't feel like correcting you but you should know that the age of consent laws are way trickier than you explain them to be.

[srslyly]

Readers should also note that statutory rape is usually a strict liability offense. It the minor showed you a fake id that would have fooled the NSA, you're still guilty.

[ImagineRelease]

I do know of one case in texas where the man who went specifically to meet a girl in a restaurant sitting with at teddy bear was able to convince the court she had a fake ID, and even though he ended up on the registry the punishment was adjudicated, but that case cost about $500,000.

[ImagineRelease]

It was in texas where the AOC was 17 but the girl was 16.

[srslyly]

@ImagineRelease In law school I had to read a case about a guy who was mentally retarded, and the girl lied about her age and seduced him. He had to go to prison, pay restitution to the "victim" and register as a sex offender. That was in Massachusetts.

[ImagineRelease]

That kind of thing happens and it depends on the person and the lawyer, a good lawyer could have fought it on his mental status precludes him from making right and wrong decisions.

[srslyly]

@ImagineRelease It went to the state supreme court. The holding of the case was that it was a strict liability offense, like running a stop sign. There is no mens rea (guilty mind) element of the offense. His mental state was therefore not relevant. Some jurisdictions are a bit more sane, but in that case, there was nothing that could be done.

[yaddayaddayadda02]

I'll stick to 28+ and not worry about it.

[JackKerouac77]

Interesting, but ultimately non-useful information to me. I appreciate the explanations.

[Findesemana]

you're correct... it's different.

but then it's similar for driving also. age of majority only relates to legal responsibility.

[soHotttZac]

So hot and sexy cutie yr Style is sexy n perfect for me

[Lovinu20]

yeah leave me alone

[Anonymous]

Or, ya know, maybe just avoid trying to bang anyone who falls into that grey zone if you're an adult since it's creepy & gross.

[Anonymous]

FINALLY someone wrote this! Everyone is always under the impression that the legal age for everything is 18.