Age Is Just A Number... But so is a prisoners identification number!

One of my really good friends was dating a 24 year old when she was 17(she not 17 any more, that was some time ago), they are now happily married and have a son and another one on the way, her parents were fine with it and when someone try to report it ( the school) the cops said there was nothing that could be done about it because her parents were ok with it. Her husband is a great man and treats her like a queen. I feel in some cases it is possible that the guy is not out to use her.

It really annoys me how naive people are on this topic...it's like you have to slam their head into a wall for them to finally get it. Under 18, you are not an adult at all. Shoot, I personally don't consider 18 an adult. If you have sex with someone that is above the age gap rule, he will go to jail. And if I see a grown man with a teenager, you're damn right I'm reporting it! That's disgusting, and that minor has no clue what love is, so don't spew that "mind your own business, they're in love" crap. If they were in love, they could wait for the appropriate time and place.

Using your parents age gap as an excuse is ridiculous. Those were different times, the world has changed & people have gotten crazier. I dont know whats so wrong with respecting laws that are put in place to PROTECT you.

17 & 19 isnt illegal or wrong. Its a 2 yr gap, youre still on the same page in life. Under 18 you ARE still considered a child. Youre still developing, physically, mentally & emotionally, & in most cases need permission from your parents to make any life decisions.

I've never seen anyone "judge" a couple with a two year age difference unless it's middle school-high school. I might be mistaken, but I think the OP is referring to those with a 4-5+ year difference between a teen and their significant other.

Yeah I'm in the same situation as @kas and it's fine. I don't think that if you are under 18 you are a "child" you just aren't a legal adult yet.. Which I will be quite soon. It depends on the situation. :)

I'm 17 and my boyfriend is 19. Granted I will be 18 in just a few short months but honestly it just depends on the situation. Either way people are going to judge. My parents are fine with us dating. I have also known my boyfriend for 5 Years and have been dating for a little over a year.

A 17 and 19 year old isn't illegal since it's within the 2-4 age gap rule (that varies by state)

To whatever user said it wasn't my business, as an adult with a conscience I do need to report things like that because that older guy was definitely taking advantage of that child, I know because he used to be friends with all of my friends....

Also while you are under 18 you shouldn't go any then 4 years older. You can get those "adults" in trouble.

My parents (when my father was alive) had an almost 8 year age gap. However, my parents didn't get together until my mother was almost 19 years old. So BIG difference once you turn the legal age of the majority. (They were married/side by side until he passed away)

Some of you just don't get it because you simply don't understand the concept of reality when it comes to relationships. Continue thinking that way because later on you will finally realize how f-cked up some people are. The ignorance is strong in here. So sad.

Love has boundaries and it has certain lines not to be crossed if it is crossed then it's anyones business to report it. At least that's how I see it. At 13-14 if you dating someone alot older than you your not in love it's lust and if he's older he's most likely not looking for a real relationship.

I'm NOT saying minors should be with adults , but age doesn't really mater to me . My parents have taught me to be safe , but also through example age is a number . My parents are 9 years apart and ok. I also think that when dating a younger age, 2 years older and 2 years younger is appropriate . Just my op , don't bash me .

^^@kristiny like I keep saying I do agree with you somewhat. But like, if I knew for sure that a 13 or 14 year old was having sex with a 20+ year old then I probably would report it, because when you're 13 or 14 you really don't know what love is, and when you're 20+ you're way more mature than they are, and that guy is honestly taking advantage. I wouldn't be judging them or anything, but I would be looking out for the girl, cause if I was 13 and naive and went with a 20+ year old guy I'd want someone to stop me.

-this is coming from a 16 year old-

But if the girl was 16 or 17, then I probably wouldn't because she's older by then, not saying she's as mature as a 20+ year old but she can be smart enough by then to make her own decisions if you ask me, but like you said, it's between her and her parents.

It has boundaries, you are either too young to understand or too immature to comprehend that.

Ok for one it wouldnt be anyones buisness reporting them. If they love eachother that doesnt involve you. So just keep your two cents out of it. If the parents say its ok. Then its ok. Like wtf.. i dont see why people make a big deal out of this s*** . Its their life. So dont try so run it for them. Love has no boundaries. And if they love eachother they wont stop fighting for eachother.

It's their problem my parents are fourteen yeas apart and have been married 25 amazing years don't judge plz:)

Kelsey, get a clue. There's a BIG difference between a relationship between two ADULTS who are 5 years apart as opposed to a relationship between a minor & an adult who are 5 years apart. Adult/minor relationships are illegal.

Gotcha. ?? but see, you were totally right reporting that. 14 and 20? Ridiculous. I would have reported it too. But like if they were 17 and 19, I wouldn't have. I mean it IS technically illegal.. But I don't think it's wrong since its only two years ya know? Like I said, just a matter of how you look at it.

@mrs yes it's illegal if a minor has sex with an adult however, since most of the time it cannot be proven (unless in the case of pregnancy)....they take the word of whomever reports it, which sometimes isn't even family, it could be a neighbor.

Heck I've even reported a relationship like that (the little girl was 14 and the "man" was 20....was too disgusting to not report and I wasn't alone) everyone knew they were having sex yet both denied it to police, now that "adult" is sitting in jail, where he belongs.

I do agree with the post somewhat, but like I dont think its always bad. just a matter of opinion. like lets say you're 17 and he's 19, thats not bad, only 2 years. but if hes 19 and youre 14, then yeah, thats def bad. Do you see what I mean?

the law is different in alot of states from what I've heard. Plus I've heard it's only illegal if you are having sex with eachother.

Honestly if you can't see why a large age difference isn't a big deal then you are not mature enough to be dating.

The difference is one is a minor and the other is an adult

^ but youre both legal adults. It isnt a minor/adult relationship.

it's the same thing if you're 24-29, I don't see the problem if you can just do the age difference later on in life.