Do younger people, primarily ages 16 and 17, get frustrated with the "age of

[®PsychologyGuy]

consent" laws? In my field I work with many adolescents who seem to harbor a lot of anger regarding these laws. Often times they are with someone about 5-8 years older and it is always being questioned. Yet later in life such a minor age difference is not even considered remotely abnormal (like a 35 year old woman with a 40 year old man). However, it can also be argued that the people I work with have either mood disorders, personality disorders, or both. So I would like to hear from 16 and 17 year olds (male or female) - do you think the age of consent should be lowered to 16, thereby giving you the freedom to date whoever you want at that age without parental permission or threat of the person you love going to prison?

[Merryberry]

I think they'll argue "yes" because at this age they are usually ready to consent to anything without looking at the possible consequences.

[Sola]

yes I do. it should be taken out completely =D

[GarrettS]

perv alert!

[ZCT]

The age of consent is already 16 in many places. So it really depends on the locale. I've put a list on the link.

Frankly, most of the time such laws are ignored by teens. Unfortunately, sometimes the laws can be abused by a third party to unfairly prosecute someone who participated in consensual sex. For example an angry parent who finds out that their 15 year old daughter had consensual sex with a 16 year old boy, in a state where the age of consent is 16, and calls the police.

[Eric M]

yea u should as long as it isnt like 45 dating 16