Age of consent: How old is 'old enough?'

  • Published
  • By Kathy E. Paine
  • Tinker Air Force Base Public Affairs
There is a misconception among young people today that acceptable consent means "yes" at any age.
   In Oklahoma, the age of consent is 16 years old, which means the law has determined that a person younger than 16 is not capable of deciding when it is appropriate to have sex.
   Until that age is reached, a person cannot legally have sex. It doesn't matter if parents give their permission, their children may not have sex before the age of 16.
   "Protection of minors and children has always been an important societal concern," said Maj. Matthew D. van Dalen, 72nd Air Base Wing deputy staff judge advocate. "In Oklahoma, adult rape can result in one to 15 years in prison. An adult having sex with a child, however, results in five years in prison all the way up to the death penalty.
   "Clearly, the fact that a minor is involved makes the crime much more egregious," he said.
   Although many young people might feel they are mature enough to know how to deal with a situation, where someone is trying to get them to have sex, most are not grown up enough to know what to do according to Tinker officials.
   Children and adolescents are vulnerable and the age of consent laws were designed to stop young people from being exploited by adults, officials said.
   Officials said the age of consent varies and depends on where you live. There are different age limits in different places and, in some places; the age of consent is different for boys and girls.
   If a person is under the age of consent and chooses to have sex with someone who is over the age of consent, the older person can be charged with the crime of "statutory rape." These crimes are called "unlawful sexual penetration" or "rape."
   It is important to understand the definition of consensual sex. Just because a person looks old enough, doesn't mean they are.