Is it illegal for a 16 year-old to "date" a 26 year-old?

Question

Specifically the use of the word "date." I'm aware of the statutory rape laws. I was just wondering if the government could legally do anything about, for example, public displays of affection by a couple of that description, as long as they had no reason to assume that they were having sexual relations.

Answer 1

yes it is  

Answer 2

read you state laws again. you should be "dating" a woman your age not a kid!!! You pervert!

Answer 3

Illegal.  Besides statutory rape, how about contributing to the delinquency of a minor?  

Answer 4

I would say no. You can't even touch her that would be child molestation. Although if she touches you that would not. If you ask her to that would be wrong. If her parents are okay with you having a relationship with her thaz different.

Answer 5

There are a lot of FALSE answers for this question.  If you commit any sexual act, including deviate sexual conduct, with a person under the age of legal consent for your state, you are breaking the law.  Simple public displays of affection do not constitute sexual acts or gratification.  You should call your local law enforcement office for specific answers and for the age of consent.

If the 16 year old is at or above the age of consent, the police may not care, but the parent(s) can forbid their child from dating the adult, and if the child disobeys, the parents can have the courts intervene (i.e. incorrigible youth, leaving home, run away, etc.)

Answer 6

yes u have to be 18

Answer 7

yes u have to be 18 or older!

Answer 8

If your aware of the statutory rape laws, then you are safe.  There are only two states in the union where the legal age is 17.  The other 48, the legal age of consent is 15 or 16.  If you can legally have consentual s*x, then I'm fairly sure that kissing is safe too.

Edit - Concerned Leftist is the only person who has answered with any "actual" knowledge.  Everyone who claims its pedophilia or illegal?  Please either get a dictionary or go to your local law enforcement agency.  Child molestation laws ONLY apply if the younger person is 12 or younger.  The ages of 13, 14, and 15 (in most states) fall under the "statutory rape" laws.  Guess what?  In all but two states 16 is perfectly legal.  So in your hypothetical question, the law enforcement could NOT do anything to you, without you doing something else illegal.  However, in the "court of public opinion," as you are finding out, people immediately assume (whether correctly or not) that its immoral and disgusting.  Be prepared for that.

And for everyone just spamming, "Of course its illegal, and its child molestation too you sick pervert!" go talk to a lawyer or the sheriff's department.  You might just learn something instead of spreading around false information.

I've included a link that lists the "legal age of consent" for every state, so you can see for yourself the legal age that people may begin sexual relations in your state, with someone 10 years older.

Answer 9

yes it is illegal

Answer 10

Not sure on the legality of it but what kind of 26 year old "adult" wants to date a 16 year old. You'd have to be one of the world's biggest losers.

Answer 11

no it's legal as long as you're not having s*x