age of consent?

[Kacey]

So what does it really mean in the countries where sex is legal at age 16? I know in usa the age is 18 and you can have sex watch porn and star in porn, what about the 16 age consent nations?

[ackmedsgirl666]

Here in Canada having sex with anybody under the age of 16 illegal that's the legal age for adult consent. That's why when I was 14 my boyfriend who I was seeing at the time was 24
And he almost got arrested even though we never had sex

[TheSocialInspector]

Pornography is banned in my Country.

But that's ok.

Because the government doesn't really care.

If they happen to find you "smuggling" pornography into our Country though, you'll face a pretty hefty fine.

[Noirtier]

So what does it really mean in the countries where sex is legal at age 16? I know in usa the age is 18 and you can have sex watch porn and star in porn, what about the 16 age consent nations?

The age of consent varies not only by country, but by state too. In the USA, the age of consent is NOT 18, it varies by which state you're in--between 16 and 18. Now, regardless of which state you're in, 18 is the "legal" age at which one is allowed to watch and be filmed in pornography, because one is still a minor if they are under 18. The age of consent for watching porn, though, is not really heavily enforced, a lot of people under 18 watch porn (they just don't get caught by authorities.) Now, if they were to get caught by authorities, their parents would be the ones held responsible under penalty of law. However, the filming of pornography of those under 18 is a serious offense in the US, and can result in quite a bit of jail time.

To answer your other question, you asked about countries where the age of consent is 16 nationally. In that case, it would mean that one is allowed to engage in sexual activities, watch and film pornography, etc., at the age of 16. This is because in those countries, it is 16 when one is officially considered an adult by legal standards.

[pineinchneis]

actually no. in the uk the age of consent is 16 but you cant watch porn until your 18 and your not legally an adult yet. all it means is you can have sex with anyone over 16

[Noirtier]

actually no. in the uk the age of consent is 16 but you cant watch porn until your 18 and your not legally an adult yet. all it means is you can have sex with anyone over 16

It depends on the country. In Finland for example, it is legal for someone to buy a pornographic magazine at the age of 15. (Provided that it isn't what the government labels as "hardcore pornography.")

[Sephtyan]

In the US, there are separate ages of consent per state. One can have a consensual mate of, for example, 16 for Iowa or 18 in California. You can use this site (http://www.ageofconsent.us/) to find out the difference.

[Gigablue]

Here in Canada, the age of consent is 16, with some exceptions where people can have sex as long as they are above 12 and not more than 2 years apart in age, or above 14 and not more than 5 years apart. You technically have to be 18 to watch porn, but that law is never enforced. You have to be 18 to star in it, and any violations of that are taken seriously.

[TigerBoy]

Here in Canada, the age of consent is 16, with some exceptions where people can have sex as long as they are above 12 and not more than 2 years apart in age, or above 14 and not more than 5 years apart. You technically have to be 18 to watch porn, but that law is never enforced. You have to be 18 to star in it, and any violations of that are taken seriously.

I love the Canadian law, takes all the guesswork out of it.

I had to look into this for me and my bf due to the age gap. In the UK the law is not quite as simple as already stated in this thread. Yes 16 is the minimum age you can legally have sex, but there is an exception where the other person is an adult in a position of authority over you. In that situation, it is illegal until the younger person is over 18 themselves.

I was particularly concerned about the situation for my bf currently as he is under 16 (I'm 17) but he legal advice I've obtained is that in essence 'its fine' as long as its all consensual, the law is not interested in prosecuting those sorts of cases. Not as reassuring as Canada but it seems to work out.

The real problem for us is in a few months when I turn 18 and he will not turn 16 until a month later, but in practical terms neither the courts or the police would waste their times with worrying about us.

[lyriclover]

and this is why I'm glad my girlfriend is only 15 days younger than I am.

[Cognizant]

Actually, in the US, the age of consent varies depending on the state... Here in California, the age of Consent is 18, so I wouldn't be legally allowed to have sex with someone or watch/buy porn or adult toys until I'm 18 years old.

However, in Massachusetts, for example, the Age of Consent is 16, but it doesn't specify if you can buy pornographic/adult material.

If you're interested, you can look up your own state to see what the guidelines are:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#United_States

[nick]

actually no. in the uk the age of consent is 16 but you cant watch porn until your 18 and your not legally an adult yet. all it means is you can have sex with anyone over 16
In the UK the age of consent is 16. Technically that makes it illegal for anyone to engage in any sexual activity with another person unless they are both 16 or over.

However it's not quite as simple as that.

If both people involved in a sexual act are below the age of consent and are close in age to each other (so not a 14 year old with a 10 year old for example) then it is extremely unlikely that any prosecution would follow if they were found to have had consensual sex.

If an adult "in a position of responsibility" has sex with a person aged 16-18 then, despite them both being above the age of consent, that adult is likely to be prosecuted for breach of trust. Typically this occurs if a school teacher has sex with a 6th former.

The age of consent is completely separate to porn laws in the UK. You have to be 18 either to buy or to feature in pornography. Anyone below 18 is a minor and any still or video images of naked minors, let alone involved in sexual acts, are strictly illegal.

[Gigablue]

I love the Canadian law, takes all the guesswork out of it.

I had to look into this for me and my bf due to the age gap. In the UK the law is not quite as simple as already stated in this thread. Yes 16 is the minimum age you can legally have sex, but there is an exception where the other person is an adult in a position of authority over you. In that situation, it is illegal until the younger person is over 18 themselves.

I was particularly concerned about the situation for my bf currently as he is under 16 (I'm 17) but he legal advice I've obtained is that in essence 'its fine' as long as its all consensual, the law is not interested in prosecuting those sorts of cases. Not as reassuring as Canada but it seems to work out.

The real problem for us is in a few months when I turn 18 and he will not turn 16 until a month later, but in practical terms neither the courts or the police would waste their times with worrying about us.

The laws in Canada get even more specific. The age of consent for vaginal sex is 16, with all the exceptions I mentioned earlier, but for anal sex, they two people must be either both over 18, or a husband and wife, and it must be done in private. The laws for anal sex might have to be changed at some point, since several courts have found them discriminatory and unconstitutional.

There are also restrictions for people in positions of authority, which can get complicated as well.

[AuthorX303720]

Dear Casey, I have found that the most relable source is probably wikipedia. (Not the best source of info. I have found -___-) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_consent. Also you might need to inquire to your local city/county/parrish/state/ etc. etc's website for the age of consent. Happy Hunting -Sid

[anyone50]

age of consentis different in almost every state in the usa as well in many counties. if your talking about the age of concent it ussually is rooted in the meany at what age can i leaglay get married without and have sex. this is different from age of responsibility While one state may have an age of consent of 16 yrs of age that dosen't mean that person can go to work in the porn industry at the age of 16 you can't have sex with anyone more tham 3 years older than yourself generally speaking while this may change from state to state all it means is that they can marry and often states require parental approval even at the age of consent. the age of reponsibilty for all practical puposes is 18 in the USA. it maybe different for different countries. what this means is the law now see's you as an adult and you are responsible for you actions. your parents can no longer be held accountable for what you may do. generally speaking this means you can work in the porn industry sleep with whoever you want do what ever you chose as long as it's not reseved for those who must reach the age of 21 ist hope this answers your question

[Jen Jones]

I dont think the age of consent in the us is 18, but thats just the age at which it is legal to have sex

[hidden]

I live in the United States, and in the state i'm in the age of consent is 18, however the participants cannot be more than 3 years apart in age of one another. Something like that, I didn't put much research into it.

[anyone50]

I live in the United States, and in the state i'm in the age of consent is 18, however the participants cannot be more than 3 years apart in age of one another. Something like that, I didn't put much research into it.

The three yeasr rule only applies where at least one person is under 18. If your state the age of consent is 18 then he or she can have sex with pretty much anyone from 18 to 99 years of age as long as it's consenual

[anyone50]

I dont think the age of consent in the us is 18, but thats just the age at which it is legal to have sex

It's different depending on what state you live in. in my state it's 16

[Jen Jones]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_North_America#United_States

[Eth_94123]

Yeah it's different depending where you are but it's 16 here in the uk :)