Can a sixteen year old legally have sexual relations with a twenty-one year old, without running afoul of the law?

A:

This may seem like an odd question for a personal injury attorney to discuss, but I’ve received the question from several different teenagers so it’s worth adding to the FAQ.

Really you're asking if the law permits a 16 year old and a 21 year old to have sexual relations. I too have a daughter who was once 16 and three sons who are younger than she and are very close in age. My sons were taught to respect the women they dated and to date someone their own age. My daughter was taught to talk with her parents about the consequences of what she contemplated doing and if you have to ask if it's legal then you probably shouldn't be doing it. The best advice I can give you is to seek legal advice locally from an attorney at the legal aid office and to talk with your parents about the consequences of pregnancy. Teenage pregnancy changes the course of your life in ways you just aren't ready to appreciate. Do you want to go to college? Do you want to hang out with your friends and enjoy the college life? Why would a 21 year old young man want to "date" someone still in high school? Allow me to demonstrate the consequences to you. I want you to take an egg out of the refrigerator. Cut up the egg carton so that you can take two eggs in a protected package. Now I want you to carry it around for the next two weeks. You can't put it down without getting someone to take it from you. You can't leave it alone. You have to take it with you when you eat, when you sleep (nightstand) and when you attend to bathroom needs. You have to take it to class with you and in the car on dates. If you go to a school dance or football game it comes with you. If after two weeks neither egg is cracked then call me and tell me what your parents said about the consequences. Then we can talk lawyer talk about statutory rape.

As for parents talk to your kids. Establish a relationship with them by engaging them in activities and being very involved in their lives.  Busy-tired teenagers have less energy to be led astray.

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