If you're 14-years-old and he's a 16-year-old, can both of you get into trouble with the law?

Question

I was told that beause I'm younger than 16 my boyfriend can get into a lot of trouble. That's one of the reasons to why he broke up with me. I'm also turning 15 next month too so will the situation change after I'm 15? He's also a mormon and that's another reason to the 16-year-old thing that is happening. I was told by his friend that he could get into a lot of trouble and that he has to break up with me. I don't know what to do now. I don't know who to believe any more. Please help if you can. I really don't want to lose him because of something that was just said. I want to know the truth.

Not a sexual relationship but just a normal serious teenage relationship that lasted about 5-6 months. Also the state we live in is Hawaii. Plus if he told me the truth then we would be just friends. There is nothing wrong with break-ups, they just take time to get use to. Just to let you know if you're wondering.

He works at a grocery store and is probably getting his license.

My parents have met him and they agree to him and actually like him. They think that we are really cute together. His parents on the other hand are strict and his mom thinks that I'm too young to go out with him but they still like me. Some of the mormon problems could be becuase of the strict part I guess. But if anything, both our parents are okay with us being together.

Answer 1

It depends on what state you're in. Different states have laws stating that 16 is the minimum age at which you can have sexual relations. I'm assuming thats what you're talking about because there obviously is nothing wrong with having a relationship at any age. Post what state you're in and I'll edit my post to reflect the current law.

Thanks for the additional details. In no way can you get into trouble for what you described. No matter what state you're in there is no law that prohibits a relationship between 2 people no matter what age. I am not up on laws in Hawaii though.... but I highly doubt it. I'm assuming friend that told you that was thinking you 2 were having sexual relations. Thats my guess.

Answer 2

It depends a lot on what state you both are in. Some states have different age limits for sexual activities, and if that is what you're talking about, then yes, you both could get into trouble with the law. It is best to wait until you are 16, then most states say that it is OK, and by then, your boyfriend will be 18, going on 19, and a little more mature.
Don't be experimenting with sex, because you don't want to get pregnant at 14....that's too young to be raising a kid.

Answer 3

If you're 14-years-old and he's a 16-year-old, can both of you get into trouble with the law?

Depends what your doing and what type of resources you have, I guess.


I was told that beause I'm younger than 16 my boyfriend can get into a lot of trouble.

It depends where you are and what you are doing. If you mean having sex, that is a touchy subject and varies by locality. Sexual opinion variers, but generally the conservative veiw is that serious dating should beging around 16 and sex at 18 or older.. in reality it appears people younger than you are having sex.. but there are issues. Like what if you get pregnant, that can be seen as trouble or otherwise. Any court issues are a pain in the but, and I'd steer clear. No one will know you are having sex unless you get pregnant or well rip your private parts open, and I'm not suggesting doing that. I think that your boyfriend may just be being cautious for both your benifit.

I'm not gonna medle on this one as I think that social, psychological and physical clocks work different for different people, the law is generally age based (and biased though).

Really you should only be at the petting.. stage perhaps if so... and sexual maturity identities varies from place to place.

Laughably and sadly I'm still a virgin at 26 and I don't regret it.

If you really arn't sure you can maybe request a phone consultation with a lawyer (as they may do a 30 minute consultation with you over the phone, some do, you can likely look that up with the phone book. You can ask the lawyer or legal aid if your relationship, or relationship plans are considered illegal in your locality.

Note you are a minor in most places and as such you will likely be subject to some form of parental discretion. If your parents don't approve they likely have a good reason. Ask your parents about what they think of your dating a 16 year old and what they think your relationship should be like etc..
if you are intent on being a good girl.

I think that social cohesion in a fair and just society is imporant, the laws are hopefully there to protect you, not to make your life worse.

I personally see nothing wrong with dating a kid a few years older.. kissing is likely o.k. for your age. any private parts stuff may be questionable... but sexual assualt/harasment (words or contact that is implicit of sex) may get both of you into trouble, (since you may not be able to be consensually involved, you can't think for yourself because you don't know yourself enough, in society) , the other part is that any real sexual act can be regarded as rape (which is usually a very serious thing (because you arn't seen by society/people) as being a 'person' yet, you are in the care of society (your parents etc..)

that is how the system works, in nature you may have been on your second baby already... but really,,, there is usually nothing illegal with dating. Having wild monkey sex, very likely is for a 14 year old (unless in quebec etc.. as I think they can get married at 13 or so in quebec.. something like that...but that is due to old customs from 100 years ago)

long answer... if your parents find out yeah you may get into trouble.. but it depends on your parents.. if you can't catch your own food, you depend on them so don't screw things up..

things will always work out in the end if you keep a positive mindset but doing anything you don't understand is done at your own risk.

you have to live with the choices you make.

Forcing a relationship, from a person with next to no relationship experience would be, is the last thing you should ever do in a relationship, since it should be based on mutual agreement, this aint 5000 b.c.

The mormon thing is odd, recently a girl and boy (but like 13/12) were charged with raping each other.... not sure on the 16/14 thing.. I disagreed with the supreme courts decision.

Oddly I don't think 'kids' should be acountable for their actions if they are both the victim and the perpetrator and the only ones involved in the act. that is for sex though...

honestly I so think 16/14 or 18/16 or... ... this is tricky 19/17 21/19 20/18 are all ok relationship basises as on average men are 3 years older when they marry their wife.

Answer 4

Well I'm LDS and the no dating till your sixteen is in place for a reason. Our church believes in not having sexual relations until marriage And so it is better to wait to start dating our church also recommends not "steady" dating until eighteen, which means not dating just one person. And if your man is serious within the church he will probably go on a mission at 19 years old so my advice to you is to go on a few dates with him when your 16 but try not to go for the whole boyfriend-girlfriend situation because waiting for a missionary for two years can be a very sad time I know I fell in love with my man before his mission and waited for him, but it was very hard. But the whole dating before 16 thing is a guideline you can't get into trouble within the church for dating before 16 his parents could be strict about it. Good luck and remember how stinking young you are!

Answer 5

nicely i don't think of they'll shes going to be 15 and hes going to be 17 it particularly is barely 2 years aside that may not undesirable if it became into like 4 or 5 years aside then it particularly is a diverse tale yet that may not that undesirable so she or he would desire to decide for it :] yet as quickly as hes 18 and shes sixteen she has to work out if her mom and dad will enable her to date an 18 twelve months previous so he wont get in hassle by using the regulation

Answer 6

Why can't you just wait a couple of years. Not waiting kinda ruined every chance I had at a normal future. Besides who wants to share a man???

Listen to me. I have two babies both under two years of age, I am married to a 34 year old foreigner, and I was lucky to get my high school degree. I have so much work to do at home I can not afford to get a job, maybe in a couple of years I will go to college if I am lucky. Just be happy and be a kid. Stop trying to play grown up games that will just land you like me or worse. Worse meaning my guy can support me... Yours can maybe get a minimum wage job... and that is not enough. Sweetie, if you have to ask the illegal question you have gone way too far.

Answer 7

I never heard anything like that. Laws vary depending on where you are when you have sex. Some states, it is legal to have sex and it not be considered statutory rape at age 12. That is the only reason why you would get in trouble because of the law.
If the other is a Mormon and you arent, that is a bigger reason not to date this one.

Answer 8

He will get into trouble until you are 16 or i think maybe even 18 in some places.

Answer 9

If you have sex then yes he can get in trouble when you are 14, but not when you are 15.

Answer 10

What for? He can't get into trouble for dating you. A guy over 18 could get into trouble for having sex with a minor...that is what you mean I think.....because you would be under age.

If he was planning to have sex with you, you could both get into trouble...like you getting pregnant.....but not to just spend time together.

It is having sex with a minor (which he is too) that they may be referring to.