age of consent
Quick Summary
The age of consent is the minimum age at which a person is legally considered capable of consenting to sexual activity. Laws vary significantly by jurisdiction, defining when an individual can make decisions about sexual activity.12
Key aspects of these laws include:
* The age at which a minor can legally consent to sex.
* Acceptable age differences between a minor and an adult.
* Situations where an adult holds a position of authority over a minor.2
While historically focused on girls, most laws are now gender-neutral. The United States generally has a higher age of consent than many European countries, where 14 is often the legal age for consent with adults, compared to 16 in most U.S. states. Sexual activity with individuals aged 12 and younger is typically classified as sexual abuse or child abuse.2
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