2006-07-29 02:33:58 · 32 answers · asked by ultramale 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
16 is still under parental control.
18 is not.
2006-07-29 02:36:14 · answer #1 · answered by _Kraygh_ 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
That would depend on which state you live in. In Washington State, the age of consent is 16, and the age difference has to be more than 3 1/2 years for the parents to press charges. Before a person is 16, the law OR the parents (or both) can press charges. After sixteen, only the parents can.
2006-07-29 02:37:52 · answer #2 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the 16 year old is still under parental control. You don't get freedom with an 18 yr old unless you are using plenty of protection. Somehow children seem to take all those freedoms away for a very long time.
2006-07-29 02:47:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The maturity difference between a 16 year old and an 18 year old is supposedly huge enough to warrant this law. While this may have been true once, many years ago, now most 20 year olds act like children still. Get a job, get married, buy a house THEN have children.
2006-07-29 02:41:53 · answer #4 · answered by RB 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not if you are a 16 yr. old too!
Otherwise, I'm pretty sure that the law was made to protect children. A 16 yr. old is still a child, mentally.
One rationale comes from the fact that minors are legally, economically and socially unequal to adults. Typically, they are economically dependent, lack full legal rights, and are in fact wards of their legal guardians.
In addition, minors are less likely than adults to understand about STDs, or to have knowledge of and access to reliable methods of contraception, and young women who want to use condoms may find their prospective partner unwilling. They are also less likely to be in a position where they are capable of raising a child and may not have the option of an abortion without parental consent. For these reasons, minors are less able to avoid the potentially negative consequences of sexual activity, and the situation may be even worse when compounded by the inequality inherent in any relationship with a legal adult. This provides further rationale for protecting minors by not giving them the legal right to consent.
2006-07-29 02:49:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
becuase it is the law and if you are over 18 and seeing somone under the age of 16 the police wont do much about it! it is all of the kids parents that turn it in as a rape or what ever they want to. Why date someone older or younger find some one right around your age!
2006-07-29 06:59:01 · answer #6 · answered by josh f 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ya gotta draw the line somewhere...
At 18... the majority of people are mature enough to make an informed decision.
However that's just an average... some people are ready at 14, (very very rarely) and some folks aren't ready at 40.
2006-07-29 02:37:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fudging a 16-yr old even with her consent is still criminal (statutory rape) in countries where the statutory age is higher. Fudging an 18-yr old without her consent is also a crime. Stick to chocolate or vanila fudge - no worries mate!!
2006-07-29 02:54:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because our legal system has determined that the legal age of this country is 18 with some exceptions like drinking depending on the state.
2006-07-29 02:36:41 · answer #9 · answered by Jeffrey B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not sure but i don't agree with the law i feel that at 16years of age you should be considered to make your dessions about having intercourse with schools these days most of the sex ed classes are started wen your like 15 yrs. so umm i think by 16 you know the responsilblitys of having sex and i think alot of adults have to take that into consideration weather or not you agree we have to remember that they are living there life for them selves weather or not you agree. But i agree that at 16 you should be able to have intercourse no matter how old the partner is they are the consent age to choose to do it.
2006-07-31 07:05:45 · answer #10 · answered by Jessie S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 16 year old has no idea what is happening to them....really. They do not realize the seriousness of it.
An 18 year old is an adult and should realize the seriousness of it.
Why don't you word your question without using such nasty language? Is that just not possible for you?
2006-07-29 02:38:52 · answer #11 · answered by lindakb24 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋