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You are here: Experts > Arts/Humanities > Political Science > 1st Amendment and Free Speech > Adult minor dating
Expert: Ed Buckner
Date: 5/8/2008
Subject: Adult minor dating
Question
Hello Michael,
I'm 21 years old and I'm married with a guy whose 23, we've been togother for 4 years and now He's kind of dating this girl whose 17 years old. I have found voicemail, and text messaging in his cell from her.
Is there something I can do about it? Is it ilegal dating a minor when you are 23?
I will appreciate if you answer this question, I'm very concern about this whole situation :S
Thanks
Sincerely,
Diana
Answer
Dear Diana (or is it Michael, forwarding me a question? I really cannot tell),
I'm not really an expert on this, but I know a little about it. The age of consent--the age when someone is considered by law old enough to marry or to knowingly agree to sex--varies from one state to another, and I'm unfamiliar with where you are. If a person is not yet that old and has sex with an adult, the adult can indeed get into big trouble--get charged with statutory rape and be labelled a sex offender and have his life ruined. It may even be possible for this to happen to him if the couple does not have sex, if someone accuses the adult of having sex with a minor.
There are of course issues in this message related to trust within a marriage, but those are certainly not part of my expertise on religious liberty and the First Amendmnet. All those involved, or who might be, should talk to counselor(s) they trust. And to learn more about sex with minors, try talking to another adult you trust--a high school counselor, a parent, etc.--or some agency like Planned Parenthood or maybe the ACLU--to see what your rights and your risks are where you live.
Be careful.
Regards,
Ed Buckner
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