Why is it illegal to date someone 18 or older if you are 14?

Question

I just don't get it. Even if you can control your actions like going to school and trying to do nothing bad. Like skipping school or other things.

But I can tell them that I am not ready to do any sexual activites with them and they know how I feel about it and are willing to wait until I am ready.

I have known This person for 3 years already. I know him very well.

Then how come I know people who married whne they were 18 to a person who is 12 or 13 years older then them.

People said he can go to jail but he hasn't done anything bad to me at all. Then evey one is against him. He is a person I know very well.

But still I have known him for 3 YEARS!

Still I know what you all are trying to get at. But that still some what don't answer my other question. How come I know people who married at 18 and married to some one who is 12 or 13 years older then them and still in a happy relationship?

Can anyone give me the websites to imformation that can tell me more about it PLEASE!!

Answer 1

Because you are not old enough or mature enough to make decisions that could impact you for a long, long time. If you are a 14 year old girl and a 19 year old male decides to date you, you could be in for MUCH more than you're ready for. It's a good rule. You'll have plenty of time to date "older men" when you're older.

Answer 2

It's still pretty simple. You are a minor. Over 18 is considered an adult.
It may not fit your ideas of life but it was made to fit most peoples idea and real need of right or wrong.
You will be 18 in just 4 short years. Enjoy being a KID and not worrying so much about being 18.I I. like some many people had a full time job at 15. I would have given anything to do what you can do now. Enjoy it.

Answer 3

When you are 14 it makes you feel very important and special if an 18-year-old wants to date you.
Do you remember what you were like when you were 10? Have you grown since then? Now, suppose you met a really likable and smart ten-year-old boy, would you want to date him? I doubt it; he's just not at your level, no matter how wonderful he is. What is there about him that would attract you?
So I wonder why an 18-year-old wants to date a 14-year old. No matter how wonderful you are, you are not at the same level as an 18-year-old. My guess is, he finds you easier to handle than somebody his own age; you look up to him because he is older and knows more.
I'm not saying he is a bad person, but just be careful because this is not an equal relationship.

Answer 4

Because at 18 your considered an adult and can be responsible for own actions..which means your parents don't have any say in what you do. But at 14 ,even though you probably consider yourself able to make those decisions on your own the law makers don't.
There is a solution to the problem though. If your parents are ok with this 18 year old person and they think you are responsible enough they can let you on their own date this person. But would be sure that their are no consequences if anything out of the odinary happens.

Good Luck with this.

Answer 5

It's not illegal for "YOU" but it is illegal for the person over the age of 18. Depending on where you go on this date, if you have parental permission and what you do on the date it may not be illegal. Your parents though could press charges against him for contributing to the deliquency of a minor if an adult takes you on a date and they don't approve of you going with them or they take you somewhere innapropriate or get involved in anything even remotely illegal.
All of us guys say we will wait. What we mean is will wait for right now while we continue to try and wear you down and change your mind into saying yes. I don't think I have ever had to wait 4 years when I have said I would wait.

Answer 6

Because even if you are mature enough to handle it, and are in an actual, honest relationship, there are a lot of others who aren't. Well over 90% of the time, the older partner is in it for just one thing, and that one thing is something the younger of the two can never get back once it's given (or taken) away. Most laws are written to protect the most ignorant among us, but apply to everyone. It may be the case that you know exactly what you're doing, and the other partner is being honest, but the odds are not in your favor.

Answer 7

I think it depends what the older persons age is. If that person is right around 18, then it might be a little less worse. But anything over that and you start getting into that "child predator" zone. Not to mention that it is statutory rape if the relationship is consummated. Overall, its still a bad situation. Regardless, the possibility of statutory rape is probably why it is so heavily frowned upon.

Answer 8

I don't think it's illegal to "date," it's just illegal for the older person (usually) to have sexual contact with you. The rules about statutory rape started in England as a way to protect a father's "investment" in a daughter's virginity so she could get married and he could attact a good son-in-law. They morphed in America into the idea of protecting young children from improper influence of adults when they are not ready for sexual contact. The lines are arbitrary, I know, and may seem unfair to you, but are necessary to protect children in general.

Answer 9

It's not illegal to date, but it is unwise. The majority of teen mothers get pregnant with fathers who are older than themselves. They take advantage of their naivete and inexperience. Becoming a teen mother has loads of problems--for both the mother, the baby, the father, and society in general.

http://www.teenpregnancy.org/whycare/sowhat.asp

In addition, why is this 18 year old guy not dating girls his own age? Is he afraid of someone who is his equal in maturity? Do the 18-year-old girls know something you don't? Think about it.

Answer 10

If you're still confused, the fact that you even have to ask this question is a primary reason young teens are generally not psychologically, emotionally, and intellectually capable of being trusted to decide to get married. It's also because while they believe they are making their own decisions, they are in fact allowing someone else to make this huge decision for them without even knowing it.