If 17 is legal, is it moral? My daughter is 16 and a Jr. in high school. I could not consider her having a relationship with someone in their 20's next year. I am in a dilemma with a friend about if the law says it's okay, is it really ok. If the girl is 17 and the man is 26, is it moral form the two of them to have a sexual relationship?
2007-03-10 03:28:46 · 6 answers · asked by momof5 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The morality or the right vs wrong of the situation would depend on the level of maturity of the people involved. Aren't there 16 year olds who are able to understand and handle themselves in the adult world with the same level of expertise as any adult. And aren't there 20 year olds that really should have a full time babysitter?
Unfortunately our legal system does not allow for that kind of sophisticated judgment. Just one more reason that the legal system has nothing to do with Justice.
2007-03-10 03:37:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No statutory state law in the world prohibits a marital/ sexual relationship among two adults (over 18 years of age) whatever their age difference is. It is such a relation that as a father/ mother, you can't decide the values, morality or peace of your children.
You may hardly talk to your daughter on this issue and know her views on the relationship and pass your comments and suggestions in this regard. But you or anyone in the world can legally give any decision unless any state legal issue is related with this relation.
2007-03-10 11:57:45 · answer #2 · answered by The Falcon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The legal age is defined by the state, you would have to look up the law for your individual state.
Most range from the age of 14 to 18 with varying levels of parental consent required in some states.
The morality of it depends a lot on your own beliefs.
2007-03-10 11:33:30 · answer #3 · answered by Brandon A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
17 and 26 is definetely illegal for a sexual relationship. Now a dating relationship is up to the parents considering you are the legal guardian.
Question of morality: Any sexual relationship outside of marriage is immoral. Just a dating relationship...who knows?
2007-03-13 23:40:17 · answer #4 · answered by Sergeant of Marines 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Morality is defined by religious and social customs, which can vary widely. For centuries, the moral age at which a woman could have sex or become married was puberty -- currently about 12 in most western countries.
The law is the bottom line, the point at which you get punished by the government. Anything else is between the people and their parents/guardians, and what those involved personally feel comfortable doing.
2007-03-10 12:36:50 · answer #5 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Legal is going to be defined by your specific state.
Moral is going to be defined by your specific religion.
But your leaving out is it smart...
You have to check your specific state laws to see if it is or isn't legal.
Morality is going to depend on your religion or if you even believe in religion. In most it is NOT going to be moral to have a completely physical relationship prior to marrage regardless of age.
Now is it smart. I'm not saying no just by asking the question but if they are about 10 years apart in age how much can they really have in common? If he is dating 17 year old girls how mature could he be? Do they really think they are going to pull of a long term relationship? Maybe yes but doubtful.
Best of luck
2007-03-10 11:42:58 · answer #6 · answered by John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋