<p>I understand risk management- and would absolutely bet a few other posters here do, too. What is missing is a considered analysis. Several of us have a bead on that, too. That is likely why some on the link (none of whom claim to be attorneys, btw,) suggested you are taking a less mature view. You are dogging a question that doesn’t have legs, assuming a friendly gal has an interest in you. And projecting this will go far enough to worry someone/anyone out there. That is a bit…uncomfortable. </p>
<p>Did you actually look at the applicable law? Statutory rape laws are not about being seen at a hamburger joint together. Or being seen nuzzling at a game. They are about risk situations- being caught in bed together is the obvious one. If she gets pregnant, as in the notorious case of the hs teacher. If that’s what you expect, there is a different issue here. </p>
<p>Give this 20 year old gal a break. No need to post on several forums. This gets creepy.</p>
<p>I am a parent. I think the OP and his attitude and immaturity are a great case for why we should not allow students to skip multiple grades and attend college at 15 or 16 years old.</p>
<p>As a 20 year old girl, I wouldn’t be comfortable dating a 16-year-old, no matter how smart or mature he is for his age. I worked with 18 year old guys this summer and felt weird for flirting with them at all.</p>
<p>So, just putting that out there. Don’t expect anything.</p>
I went early, and in a life of few regrets, that is one. All turned out okay in the long run, but it was tough sledding for a while.
FWIW, the social/sexual thing was the least of my worries. To my recollection, nobody asked about age, and I had a great time, much better than I would have had in high school. Of course, that was the late 60s, early 70s, so I wasn’t alone in enjoying myself :-)</p>
<p>BBY, just on the off chance that you’re serious and not a ■■■■■, I’ll respond:
People don’t “worship” the law. They follow it because they don’t want to go to prison. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a prison, but it’s a pretty good deterrent for most people. It’s pretty nasty. </p>
<p>And your other forum doesn’t say anything you said. They said the STATE matters- just like we said. In my state, Michigan, the age of consent is 16. At 16, you can sleep with a 116 year old and it’s perfectly legal.</p>
<p>ETA: You’re in PA. It’s illegal for you guys to sleep together. There is nothing against dating. </p>
<p>She’s not going to be into someone who is 16. Even if age didn’t bother her, you don’t seem like a mature enough individual to go out with a 20 year old woman.</p>
<p>A lot of people mistake “nice” and “understanding” for “interest.” This is not always the case. Since you are much younger, she may have an innate maternal instinct to take care of you, or maybe she’s just been raised to be a very polite and helpful person. Rather than jumping to conclusions - and then blowing up a list of “what if’s” - just take it slow and get to know her. You can hang out and become friends without holding hands and dating right away. Once you’re comfortable and more clear on her feelings, you can decide what to do from there.</p>
<p>Want to know something? So far, I haven’t done a thing. I haven’t said I would do anything. I’ve only been asking what people think if I might do such and such a thing. </p>
<p>I’ve made my parents proud, I’ve always obeyed them, my grades are exemplary, I don’t take drugs, I don’t go to parties, I’ve been law abiding, and so far have been purer than the driven snow.</p>
<p>So… as a parent… you figure that my committing thoughtcrime (read 1984) makes me a textbook case for holding every kid back? What would you replace his or her opportunities with while he or she rapidly outstripped the curriculum?</p>
<p>If this was a legit question, go look at PA’s (that’s the state, correct?) relevant laws. Plain as day, what the situation is. A little direction takes you right there. No need to educate us or suggest we are somehow less able to consider the topic. </p>
<p>If you didn’t know, CC is not terribly tolerant of new poster with 'tude. Just saying.</p>
<p>You should ask her out. 90% chance she says no. But 10% chance isn’t so bad. And being able to hear “no” from a woman - without freaking or getting passive aggressive or otherwise being a tool about it - is an important life skill, because the ability to take no for an answer paradoxically increases your chances of being told yes. So you should ask her. Either she says yes, or you get to practice something important. There is no downside.</p>