People getting arrested over age of consent laws is nothing new, but a recent case in New York is definitely more bizarre than most. A thirteen-year-old girl and a nineteen-year-old man wanted to consummate their relationship, which was known and approved of by their mothers. But since that’s illegal in New York (the age of consent is seventeen), their mothers drew up an agreement that would somehow circumvent the law because they gave it the thumbs-up in writing. Their agreement didn’t fly, and now the boyfriend’s being charged with sodomy and child endangerment and the mothers were arrested.
Perhaps if age of consent laws didn’t vary so widely across the country and around the world, people wouldn’t get so confused about the legal system. It’s shocking how much the rules change from one region to the next—especially when same-sex couplings come into the equation.
Australia
In Queensland, Australia, it’s considered an “offence” (crime) to have sexual intercourse with anyone under sixteen. However, anal sex is an eighteen-and-over act, independent of gender or who’s on top.
Bermuda
In Bermuda, the age of consent for male-female sexual couplings and female-female couplings is sixteen. For gay males, the age is eighteen.
Zimbabwe
The age of consent law in Zimbabwe—set at sixteen—only applies to opposite-sex couples and female-female couples; homosexuality among males is considered illegal.
Mexico
Just like the U.S., states in Mexico decide their own ages of consent. In some parts of Mexico—like Mexico City, Jalisco, and Oaxaca—the age is twelve.
Antarctica
Age of consent laws don’t exist in Antarctica. According to the Australian Antarctic treaty of 1959, it depends on one’s country of origin.
