My dad put a restraining order against my boyfriend for me against my will. Can I do anything?

Question

My boyfriend is not abusive in any way. I'm only 16, but I thought that was the age of consent? Help, please!!!!

Answer 1

unless i'm mistaken, it takes a legal reason to put a restraining order in place.  

perhaps you're leaving something out?

Answer 2

You are a minor and your dad is doing what he thinks is right.  There is nothing you can do.  Your Dad is in charge.

Answer 3

Finally, a responsible parent! I would like to shake your father's hand for being a man and a good father. You will understand and thank him someday. Now, behave yourself and be nice to your dad.

Answer 4

You dad is in charge

Answer 5

I don't think you get a restraining order for normal, legal behavior - including heing and sheing in the park.  And age of consent laws are often relaxed for two teens of about the same age, depending on where you live.

So, why did your father get the order?

What did you mean by 'sneaking around behind his back?'  Was he/ were you dishonest?  Were you doing anything that could be considered illegal?  Does he have a history of being in trouble?  Is he older than you (out of high school, for example?)  There could be something here that aroused your father's worry.  

You might not want to hear this, but 16 year olds are not always mature and able to deal well with challenging social situations like some aspects of dating - just look back when you are 20 (or even 18).

Answer 6

How can we tell you what the age of consent is, when you didn't tell us where you are ?

"Kyle" is wrong - the age of consent in the US is not "usually 18" - in only 8 of the 52 US jurisdictions is the age of consent 18. In the others it ranges from 14 to 17, with 16 being the AoC in about 2/3 of them.

In any event, your Dad did not put a restraining order against your boyfriend. Only a judge can do that, after someone persuades him that there is legal grounds for it.

While a 'temporary' restraining order can be obtained without the restrained party having the chance to contest it, there must be a hearing as soon as practical at which he has the opportunity to argue his case. At that hearing he can call witnesses to support his case - including you if he chooses.

Richard

Answer 7

If you're in Kazakhstan I think the age of consent was just raised to 6.  But in America it's usually 18.

Answer 8

Restraining orders are not put on people for no reason, so I suggest you look deeper into this and find out why.

Answer 9

big difference in the age of consent and the age of majority (adulthood).

Answer 10

You do not tell us what state you are in, so we can't really give you an informed answer.

However, being under age, your parents can pretty much do what they want with regards to your safety.  

Answer 11

You'll have to obey the order or your BF goes to jail.

Remember this when it comes time to choose Dad's retirement home.

Answer 12

You are wrong in what you define "age of consent".

Age of consent does not mean you are now adult, not a minor, or free to do as you choose.  What age of consent DOES mean, is that if there has been s*x involved, and (depending on the state and criteria), the boyfriend may/may not be charged with statutory rape.

That is different from the fact of your father still having legal authority as a parent, over the actions and such of a minor.  That DOES include authority to request a restraining order against any adult (not just boyfriends!!) who the parent determines is a danger or harmful influence to their child.

In normal relationships with a family, it is understood that if a parent explicitly orders any person to STAY AWAY from their child, then the person told so, knows enough to comply with it. In a way of speaking, boyfriend may not be abusing you, but he is abusing parent's rights.

Please don't be angry with me, for my explanation. I am not meaning to offend you, and I know this is not what you are wanting to hear.

The bottom line is that until you are 18, your parents DO have rights to control what you do, and who you see. I also understand that disagreements between parents and teens is age-old, and very hard to deal with.