Age of consent
Age of Consent
The Age of Consent (pronunciation: /ˈeɪdʒ əv kənˈsɛnt/) is a legal term that refers to the minimum age at which an individual is considered legally competent to consent to sexual activities. This age varies among different jurisdictions and typically ranges from 16 to 18 years.
Etymology
The term "Age of Consent" originates from the legal terminology. "Age" (from the Old French aage, which is derived from the Latin aetas) refers to the length of time a person has lived, while "consent" (from the Latin consentire, meaning to agree or to feel together) refers to the agreement to permit something to happen.
Related Terms
- Legal Age: The age at which a person becomes eligible for certain legal rights and responsibilities.
- Sexual Consent: An agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity.
- Statutory Rape: Non-consensual sexual activity where the victim is below the age of consent.
- Romeo and Juliet Laws: Laws that provide exceptions to statutory rape laws when the parties involved are close in age.
Legal Implications
The age of consent laws are designed to protect young people from sexual exploitation by adults. Violation of these laws, such as engaging in sexual activities with someone below the age of consent, can lead to criminal charges, including statutory rape.
In some jurisdictions, the age of consent may vary depending on factors such as the age difference between the partners, the nature of their relationship, or the presence of coercion or manipulation. Some jurisdictions also have Romeo and Juliet laws that provide exceptions for consensual sexual activities between minors who are close in age.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Age of consent
- Wikipedia's article - Age of consent
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