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.
Greece
In Greece, male homosexuality became legal in 1951 and the age of consent for gay males who are close in age became fifteen, the same as lesbians and male and female heterosexuals. When one of the gay male partners is older than eighteen, the age of consent is raised to seventeen.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the age of consent is also sixteen, but only for heterosexual couples. Under the law, gay people must wait until they turn eighteen.
Qatar
Qatar residents can’t legally have sex until they’re married. There isn’t a minimum age limit for marriage, so the parents must give their approval first.
Bolivia
There isn’t a number given for the age of consent in Bolivia; rather, it’s based on when puberty hits. Sexual orientation and gender aren’t included as factors.
Oregon
They don’t mess around in Oregon. There, sex with anyone under eighteen is classified as Sexual Abuse 3, a misdemeanor. If the person is younger than sixteen, it’s considered rape or sodomy, both of which are Class C felonies.
The lack of standards when it comes to age of consent laws makes for a very confusing situation when cases arise, especially when they’re as strange as the ones mentioned above. Remember, knowledge is power—and it keeps you out of prison—so know before you go (literally or metaphorically).