Rules about age differences in dating involve both morals and social convention. Terms like "cradle robber" and "jail bait" illustrate the disapproval often expressed toward couples where a significant age difference is involved. When potential romantic partners are too far apart in age, their different cultural reference points and life experiences often make it impossible to relate to one another in any meaningful way. There are also often legal consequences involved with relationships where significant age disparities exist.

Age of Majority vs. Age of Consent

In the United States, most minors are legally incapable of entering into contracts or giving consent. Laws prohibiting sexual contact with adults are designed to protect minors from being exploited. This is true even when the relationship is consensual for both parties. The age of consent varies by jurisdiction, but is often lower than the age of majority, which in nearly all states is 18-years-old.

Former teacher Mary Kay Letourneau served seven years in prison for child rape and was barred by the judge in her case from seeing her former student, Vili Fualaau, with whom she began a sexual relationship when he was 12-years-old. The ban was lifted after her release from prison, and the two were married in 2005, after he turned 21. Joey Buttafuoco was convicted of statutory rape in 1992 after revelations surfaced that he had been sexually involved with Amy Fisher when she was 16-years-old, following her arrest for shooting Buttafuoco's wife in a jealous rage.

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