What is the law about dating someone underage?
Is it true that when a guy or girl is 16 she/he can date someone over the age of 18?

No, they cannot. If you are 16, you are still a minor. At 18, you are now an adult. This is illegal.

In some states the age of consent is 16 or 17, but that is only for 16 or 17 year olds (respectively)having sex with others at or older than people the age of consent and below 18. At 18, the rules of the game change, you can have sex with anyone 18 or older.

There are no "dating" laws there are laws about having sex with minors if you are a adult. The age of consent varies greatly by what nation you live in, US, Canada, and so on. And if in the US there are large differences in the state laws. Some states have 18 as age of consent, others have 16.

I am in Ohio, have a 16 year old daughter that met a 19 year old second-year college student on World of Warcraft & have begun to have internet relationship. I am divorced, father lives 3 hours away, still in Ohio. The 19 year old showed up at my ex's home in July during his visitation (Surprise Visit!). My ex husband is promoting & encouraging the relationship. He drove my daughter to see this guy in Chicago during one of his weekend visitations, without my consent. Ex had an attorney write me a letter that I would be in contempt of court if I try to block his visitation. We are seeing a Psychologist. I want this relationship to end, my ex encourages it. What is the law?

I am in Ohio, have a 16 year old daughter that met a 19 year old second-year college student on World of Warcraft & have begun to have internet relationship. I am divorced, father lives 3 hours away, still in Ohio. The 19 year old showed up at my ex's home in July during his visitation (Surprise Visit!). My ex husband is promoting & encouraging the relationship. He drove my daughter to see this guy in Chicago during one of his weekend visitations, without my consent. Ex had an attorney write me a letter that I would be in contempt of court if I try to block his visitation. We are seeing a Psychologist. I want this relationship to end, my ex encourages it. What is the law?

I am in Ohio, have a 16 year old daughter that met a 19 year old second-year college student on World of Warcraft & have begun to have internet relationship. I am divorced, father lives 3 hours away, still in Ohio. The 19 year old showed up at my ex's home in July during his visitation (Surprise Visit!). My ex husband is promoting & encouraging the relationship. He drove my daughter to see this guy in Chicago during one of his weekend visitations, without my consent. Ex had an attorney write me a letter that I would be in contempt of court if I try to block his visitation. We are seeing a Psychologist. I want this relationship to end, my ex encourages it. What is the law?

If I'm not mistaking the age of consent in Ohio IS 18. Is this the only issue you have with the boy? Because there seems to be something more.

My concern is for my daughter... Her Safety. That is the bottom line. I was seeking Ohio Law regarding Dating of Minors so that I could take that to our Psychology Appt. on Tuesday evening. I found a note that the guy wrote my daughter during her visit to Chicago... He wrote "I loved being wrapped up in a blanket, how warm it was & how I never wanted it to end.". WHERE was the Parent supervision (my ex & his wife) during that episode?? She is now wearing his big HS Class Ring around her neck - they state that they are IN LOVE. My ex didn't know about the ring, either. He has indicated that the guy "Matt" can visit their home & spend the night to see my daughter during his visitation. I fear it may be soon, as he has her for a long weekend over Thanksgiving & a week over the Christmas Holidays. I am afraid he will rape her or try to take it to another level. He needs to date College Girls & leave my Sophomore in HS daughter alone!

I know your looking for info on your LEGAL rights here, but... There are other ways to accomplish what you want without pushing your daughter away, which is what you're most likely doing.

Why don't you have him over for a weekend? That way, you can meet him and supervise (make SURE they sleep in separate rooms), and it shows your daughter that your 'giving him the benefit of the doubt'.

It may be illegal, but, in the end, what do you want? I think you want your daughter to be safe, and not get knocked up. The best way to do that (coming from a 27 y/o who was once a 17 y/o in a similar situation) is to restrain your feelings, support your daughter, and supervise the relationship in your home. Chances are, if this kids in college, he's ditching his HS sweetheart in the next year anyway when he find some girl on campus who isn't hundreds of miles away.

My parents had the same concerns - I ended up running away for the weekend to see my BF at college because my parents wouldn't allow it. Had they allowed it, it wouldn't have been 'taboo' and I wouldve probably find some other form of rebellion.

Good luck

I'm a 16 year old girl with a 20 year old boy is that illegal

You can date anyone you want. Having sex at 16 with a 20 year old depends on your State. Where are you?

I'm in Washington

I'm in spokane Washington

Umm....lady you are kinda crazy. If he hasn't raped her yet there won't be any time he will. PLus if they are in love who are you to tear that from her? You need to understand that if you do this to her, she might hate you for the rest of her natural life. You don't tamper with people's feeling in a manner such as this. It's childish to even automatically assume that he will rape her.

Name calling isn't necessary. I assume the concerned mother is worried about statutory rape, which is where an adult has sex with a minor. And I'm sorry but this woman is her mother, her legal guardian, her maker. She has EVERY right to tell her child that she can't date an adult.

Please, read the rules/FAQS and say hi in the Intro forum. We have standards here that make this site a safe and comfortable environment for ANYONE to ask ANY question.

I disagree - it is not up to the "child," at least not while she's under her parents roof. Until she can support herself and live on her own they get to make the rules.

Second, intentional or not I don't know why your name calling post wasn't removed and you weren't warned.

Third, I don't think there's a time frame for rape, forced or consensual. The fact that he hasn't "raped" her yet doesn't mean he won't. If you have research to the contrary, please post it.

Okay well I have looked at the laws regaurding underage dating. I mean I completely agree, with the whole situation she shouldn't be dating this guy but hey it's honestly up to the child. Secondly I didn't call her a name intentionally. To date someone over 18 you must be 3 years younger than the adult and you cannot have sex. If the guy wanted to rape her he would have. 3rd yes it is statutory rape if they "do-it" but she just has to make sure they don't. Have supervision on them. That's all. There is no reason the girl can't date the guy.

So, what laws have you looked you saying that a child can make their own legal choices? Just please be more respectful. We are here to offer advice to people who need it. And no, this isn't up to the child, unless she's an emancipated minor. There are no "dating laws", there are laws against adults having sex with children. Of course, a parent can't watch every move their child makes

im in spokane washington
Age of consent in Washington state is 16. Do your parents know/approve?

If you all would not cut and paste offending material, it makes it a lot easier to delete it.

I can delete his posts but now it is still showing up in your posts since you copied it, instead of merely replying to them

Ugh. Okay here is the deal. A child can choose to date an adult as long as it is in the confines of the following restraints: Must be 3 year or less apart, and there must be no sexual action even if the child consents to it. Also you must be the age of consent. Now yes it would be statutory rape if the had sex or fellatio or something of that nature, but since he is 19, legally she is allowed to date him as she is 16. NOw yes it is up to the parent but ultimately what do you think the child is going to do? What ever she wants. Now you can pursue this further and get the 19yo from seeing your daughter, but they will most likely find each other some other way.Also the age of consent in Ohio is 16. So the child has 2 of three things on her side. Legally she has the right to date him. What happens next is up to you. I did not mean any harm in my earlier posts I was just frustrated with people lack of knowledge on the situation or at least the legality of it. I researched it and looked at it just for this lady and the stuff in this post is what I found.

Can you please quote your resources because they sound very incorrect.

State Laws on Age Requirements and Sex (http://www.4parents.gov/sexrisky/teen_sex/statelaws_chart/statelaws_chart.html)
~this is the age of consent by state, and the amount of years that can be apart, and like most everyone else I look up the laws, I cannot legally advise this subject as I am not a lawyer, I just know what the law is. You have to be the age of consent within the age difference and if you have sexual contact, depending on the state, if they are within the age difference it COULD not for sure, but it could be legal. Like if a 17 was dating a 20 year old. They'd look at the ages, and then birthday's and so on and so forth. And how dare you say that my information is incorrect!! I looked up this stuff. I researched it. What have you done? Nothing you are just going by what you think you know. That is rude.

Thank you very much for the link, kind of funny cause that's the same one I used. You are answering a different question than I was. Now, how do you know I don't know what I'm talking about? I research anything I'm not sure about. Hence the reason I'm an expert here, no not in this area. But please look at my track record, via greenies on my page. I will be asking that this post be closed since its no longer about answering the OP's question (Who hasn't returned).

Two year old thread, closed