Difference between revisions of "Age of consent for sex"
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The age of consent for sex is the age at which one is legally competent to submit to sexual intercourse. The median age for this in most countries seems to be 16 to 18, however ages ranging from 12 to 21 do exist. Some countries do not have age of consent laws but instead ban sex outside of marriage completely. To have sex with someone below the age of consent is a crime called statutory rape because someone below the age of consent is considered incapable by the law of making an informed decision about sex. | The age of consent for sex is the age at which one is legally competent to submit to sexual intercourse. The median age for this in most countries seems to be 16 to 18, however ages ranging from 12 to 21 do exist. Some countries do not have age of consent laws but instead ban sex outside of marriage completely. To have sex with someone below the age of consent is a crime called statutory rape because someone below the age of consent is considered incapable by the law of making an informed decision about sex. | ||
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| + | In certain countries, [[homosexual]] activities have a different, usually higher, age of consent. | ||
Ages of consent in various countries | Ages of consent in various countries | ||
Revision as of 19:15, August 21, 2007
The age of consent for sex is the age at which one is legally competent to submit to sexual intercourse. The median age for this in most countries seems to be 16 to 18, however ages ranging from 12 to 21 do exist. Some countries do not have age of consent laws but instead ban sex outside of marriage completely. To have sex with someone below the age of consent is a crime called statutory rape because someone below the age of consent is considered incapable by the law of making an informed decision about sex.
In certain countries, homosexual activities have a different, usually higher, age of consent.
Ages of consent in various countries
France-16
United Kingdom England-16 Wales-16 Scotland-16 Northern Ireland-17
USA Indiana-16 Wisconsin-18 Texas-17