General Discussion

Most U.S. states have an age of consent of 18, with the exceptions of Alabama, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Puerto Rico. Therefore, for the vast majority of states, the age of consent for sexual activity is 18.

Having sex ( if you are older ) with someone who is 17 and 364 days old is rape, pure and simple.

There are cases where the age difference comes into play... like a couple that both were under 18 and having sex and then one of the two partners turns 18 and someone ( usually one of the parents ) wants to put a stop to the relationship so they try to have the now over 18 partner arrested and charged.

I had a similar situation... my niece was socially awkward and, because of shuffling back and forth between Canada and the USA was two grades behind her fellow students. She turned 19 while still a senior in high school. She wanted to date ( and have sex with ) another senior who was 17 at the time... and I told her no. She could date him but not engage in any sexual activity until he turned 18. I told her she could kiss him goodnight but nothing else. Fortunately she listened to me and nothing happened ( his parents did not want her dating him ).

But we have drawn a clear line at 18, even if mentally and emotionally, many are ready to make such decisions before turning 18 and many more are NOT ready to make such decisions until after 18 ( sometimes long after ). We don't all mature at the same rate. But there has to be a line, and 18 is it. This isn't the end of the world for anyone to wait until they are older... anyone but a pedophile.