How can dating a minor be illegal whilst marrying one be legal?

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I’m talking about when you’re an adult and at least four years older and you’re in a state that allows child marriage. Many USA states allow child marriage, apart from New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. I don’t understand how in another state, let’s say, sweet home Alabama, it would be illegal to get a minor boyfriend/girlfriend/enbyfriend, but not for marriage. Would they fine/arrest/execute y’all for loving?

In other countries, I don’t know. I’ve moved out of the damn Yankeeland a year ago.

[LazerBean]

It is not illegal to date a minor, it is only illegal to have sex with a minor if they are under the age of consent.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

I believe Y’all, but why do many earthlings assume they mean the same?

[LazerBean]

Because to most people, dating and sex are interlocked and basically the same thing.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Funny, how rapists and prostitutes exists, and so do platonic boy/girl/enbyfriends. I’d many girlfriends and had sex with but one, when she was my fiancée.

[Bethany22]

Because marriage to a minor requires the parents to sign a consent form. Dating doesn't

[HippieVeganJewslim]

What if the parents of the minor agree with the dating?

[misogynistic_pig]

In my country the age of sexual consent is 14 years old, the minimum age for marriage is also 14 years old.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Would the pigs arrest Y’all if Y’all date one younger than 14?

[misogynistic_pig]

No, in my country there is no "estupro" law, they can only be arrested if they have sex with they (minors under 14 years of age) , and if someone reports them, in the countryside it is very common to see forty-year-olds, especially drug traffickers, with girlfriends under 14 years of age, Dairo Antonio Úsuga David, a local drug trafficker, was known to have girlfriends aged 12 and 13.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Comprendo, ¡gracias!

[TroyDT2]

Dating a minor itself is not illegal. Certain activities might be.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Like sexual acts? Understandable, but people will still do it.

[BJP21]

Dating is much different that a union.

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Tell me about it.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

Humans are the stupidest creatures on Earth

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Kurt feels stupid and contagious, but everyone is a genius. It’s just that not every fish can climb trees.

[Dinosaursandanime65]

And not all dinosaurs can ride a ball

[HippieVeganJewslim]

True.

[fonduegirl]

It should be illegal both ways, man

[HippieVeganJewslim]

Why, though? Why should loving put one behind bars? How can the dang government define dating?