Can I still date my boyfriend when he turns 18?

[BumbleDeev]

I'm 14 and my boyfriend is 17. He's turning 18 in the summer so since he will be legal age now and I'm still a minor, is our relationship legal? It would only be a 4 year difference which is normal for most relationships but since I'm underage im not sure if its right. We've been dating 8 months and we're really in love so I don't really want to break it off..

Updates

+1 y

I just remembered my brother and his girlfriend got together when they were our ages (except she was in high school already, I'm in 8th grade) and they're still together. It's been 11 years I believe

[Red_Arrow]

One of the things you need to learn is what to believe and a good rule of thumb is to be wary of the internet. But an even more important rule is do not take legal advice from amateur lawyers. If you Google this topic, several reputable sources can be found.

If you are speaking of dating, no problems. If you are talking of sex, then you need to know what you are doing. He will not get in trouble for dating you, but you need to know the laws for your state if sex is involved. What the age of consent is varies by state, so look for the laws for your state. Also, most states have an exception to the age of consent for couples close in age, usually within 4 or 5 years. So look for that, also.

Some on here spoke of being able to ignore the age of consent if parents give permission. Part of Grimm's Fairy tales. Parents CAN give permission for some under age people to marry, but not to ignore the age of consent. (unless they are married). Check your state, but his age and yours will probably be perfectly legal.

[Blondiee2014]

Yeah its a bit difficult.
Talk to your parents and see what they say.
So you know my grandparent met when my grandfather was 19 and my grandmother was 14, and everyone disagreed and they had to hide it.
He is 80 now and my grandmother is 75, they're still together ;)

[Blondiee2014]

Thanks for MHO :)

[BumbleDeev]

You're welcome, sorry it was kind of late haha

[Anonymous]

Legally, if you are intimate he can get in trouble (even if you don't have sex, there is a case for him groping you and forcing himself on you). However, you might be able to get away with it if no one reports it. I think this is something you need to talk to your parents about. If they don't approve of this relationship, there is a chance they will try to legally stop it. If they support your relationship, they can help you look up your state's specific laws and figure out how you can make this work.
Since you're only 14, you are under the legal age of consent anyway in most places, meaning you technically can't have sex with anyone. So you should probably not do anything sexual if you want to protect yourselves.

[twistedxxperfection]

In some states, counting mine, all you have to do is get parents consent and you guys will be fine. But I don't know how it is where you live. But without parents consent then it is illegal and he can get in some serious trouble, especially if you guys have a sexual relationship, too.

[Prettykangaroos]

As long as you don't do anything sexual then you should be fine. But you should look up what your state defines as sexual acts because it varies

[Imupforit]

Your relationship is legal, sexual contact is not.
Depending on the law of your state, it is not legal until what's called the age of consent.
I'm not an attorney but have been young and in love. My advice is to get your eyes on an explanation from a law firm in an Internet search only. Do not talk to anyone about this unles anonymously. You need to know what age of consent is, what it is in your state.
You need to delete this post and any other post where your profile appears in it.
From now on post any further questions on this matter ANONYMOUSLY ONLY.
good luck to you. I'm rooting for you and wish you the best.

[chrisbigman]

Legally, no. Your relationship with your boyfriend, regardless of his age, is illegal. What matters is what BOTH of your ages are. And you are 14, even if you turn 15 this summer. Still illegal. I'm not saying don't pursue a relationship with him. Just not now. Wait until you are 18 and you figure out what you want to do with your life - pursue a career or such. Besides, just because it worked for your brother and his girl, doesn't mean it will work for you also. They could still break up not long from now, and you and your boy could eventually break up too.

[Dandeus]

There is no law about ages required to date, only about having sex. Whether sex is legal or not depends on where you live. Each jurisdiction has its own age of consent, which is generally 16 or 17, but many places also have laws that provide for age gaps with minors where sex is legal as long as the two people are within a certain number of years apart.

[mikedelsol]

If by relationship you mean having sex, it is illegal now and will be more illegal later. If you aren't having sex, good luck with that, but no problemo.

[Redstang88]

I can't say for sure about US laws but its legal in Canada. Even though 14 is under the age of consent, there is a "close in age exemption" where you can legally have sex (I assume thats part of your relationship) with someone up to 5 years older even though you haven't reached the age of consent.
Look up the laws where you live, the info will be available somewhere.

[Mysterio421]

Of course you can. You have free will and have decisions to make. But you will always have consequences good or bad. I would say don't do it as it's illegal. Your considered a minor and he will be considered an adult

[overthinkingmind]

Yeah, I think it's legal (at least in my country). I see nothing wrong with that, both want it, so... :)

[Sexualchrist]

I think it's illegal. Maybe go to the police station and ask them.

[youknowitt]

DON'T break up. There's such thing as the Romeo & Juliet law.

Research about it babe

[whatsername]

If you live in the US its legal if you have parental consent

[convo_king89]

you can date and hang out... it becomes an issue of weather sex is involved.. check to see weather ur the age of consent and weather ur state has the romeo and juliet law too...

[blondfrog]

It depends what state you live in most stats wouldn't allow it, but some do after he gets permission from your parents, but still can't have intercourse until you turn 18.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you can. I'm gonna date a 19 year old and it legal as long as you don't have sex. If you have sex thats jail bait

[front2back]

Nope. Trust me, as a 17 y/o guy dating a 15 y/o I knew my days were numbered.

[K-Cool-Dude]

Love is blind. It doesn't see which age you are. So why not?

[Anonymous]

If you guys are sexuallu active he could get in trouble for statuatory rape

[youknowitt]

No one has to know.

He wouldn't go up to some official and say, "Excuse me kind sir, I fucked her. Let me turn myself in for statuatory rape! :D"

[Opinion Owner]

Ha i know but if she's that young and her parents found out about it.. no bueno

[Anonymous]

In my state, you wouldn't be able to. Why he can't a girl his own age, I really don't know... makes me question his morals/MO

[legalboxers]

you may have to, he's an adult :( but if you can get away with it

[Jebejeb57-]

Don't know how long ago this was but same I'm 14 and my boyfriend is 17 but I'd stick your inlove that matters!

[Anonymous]

If your having sex don't get caught because he could get charged with rape if u get caught so if ur having sex keep it lowkey

[songofthesparrow]

ya u can still date him :)