i don't understand the legal age to have sex

[party_of_italy]

okay i always thought that in the united states you have to be 18 or older to have sex with someone over 21. i always figured this, because even in hollywood everyone makes such a big deal when hot people turn 18 cuz they say that's when they are finally legal. but recently one of my friends said that all of the states have different ages for legality. like our's (nebraska's) legal age is 17, and a lot of states legal age is even 16. i guess i'm confused. i always thought that 18 was the legal age. can someone explain this to me please.

[avman]

Every state has their own law about what age is legal. And the exceptions can vary widely. You have to check on a state by state basis.

[LynnTex]

Every state varies.

 

For instance, in Texas, the age of consent is 17 years old.

 

Sex with anyone under that age would be the commission of statutory rape.

 

However, if the participants are between the ages of 14 and 16, and within 2 years of each other, then that would be an affirmative defense to statutory rape.

[CarterJonas]

It's interesting that, living in the UK, I would have expected the Country (ie the US) only to have one law, as it is in the UK!!!

[alissa]

Check this site out, I just found it. It's neat, it has all the states in the USA listed with their ages of consent, and other countries with their ages of consent.

 

link removed

 

Hope that helps.

[CarterJonas]

very interesting alissa - spain is only 13 year old????? Mind you I must be getting old

[PAdreamer]

They just changed the law in Oregon. Now the legal age of consent is 14. BUT if there is more then a three year age gap between the people involved- to the day- then it is considered Statutory Rape. Also, a minor can not legally have a sexual relationship with an adult. So a 17 year old can not have sex with an 18 year old. In Oregon we have Mandatory Sentencing, and Statutory Rape falls into that category. If you get convicted, you spend a MANDATORY 11 years in prison- no exceptions.

[June4life]

I know the legal age in New York State is 17 years old, and yes, it varies from state to state in the US!

[Supra1188]

here in wisconsin if anyone over the age of 18 has sexual contact wit anyone under 17 its illegal

so if ur 18 and ur g/f or b/f is 17 its illegal but for under that i aint sure