Legal Question in Family Law in Pennsylvania

Re: Child Dating Laws and Ages

You asked if it is legal for a 16 year old to date a 21 year old.

Gee this question gets asked a lot. Always gets the same answer. As long as the two are only dating then there generally isn't a problem. It's when dating moves to a physical relationship that the adult will have problems.

It is unlawful for a person over the age of 18 to have an intimate physical relationship with a person under the age of 18 if there is a difference in ages of more than two years.

So, to that end: the answer to your question is no. It is not illegal to date. But if it gets physical then the older person will go to jail and probably develop a different relationship.

Regards,

Roger