I worked in law enforcement for many years. The 3 year rule is not true. It only effects whether the crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony (it does not make it legal) I was not commenting on the age difference. My husband is 13 years older than me. The difference is that we are talking about a 16 year old child. She may think she is in love, she may not have been held down and forced, but a 16 year old girl can not "consent" because she does not have the legal capacity to do so. There is a reason that a limit has to be set. If 16 is OK... is 15 OK... is 14 OK, where is the line? As a society we have decided it is 18.




California Penal Code 261.5 (the statutory rape law) makes it illegal to have non-marital sex with a minor under three circumstances:

1. If the minor is less than three years younger than the defendant, the offense is a misdemeanor.

2. If the minor is more than three years younger than the defendant, the statutory rape offense may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, and punishment can be up to three years state prison.

3. If the defendant is 21 or over and the minor 16 or younger, the statutory rape offense may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, and punishment can be up to four years state prison.

I think a 16 year old knows what they are doing. She's not a child. If she really is a child, she shouldn't be allowed to keep and raise that baby

There is a reason that a limit has to be set. If 16 is OK... is 15 OK... is 14 OK, where is the line?

I agree with that but I don't think the guy should get in trouble because they were in a relationship and it was consentual sex..and her parents allowed it to happen. I just think if a 16 year old is old enough to be allowed to raise a child, then I guess they aren't really considered a child anymore. Personally, I think everyone ought to have a license to be able to have a child ;) Maybe society would be a better place if parents raised their children better. I feel really sorry for Britney's kids...it's going to be hard for them to grow up well-adjusted and become normal people

I feel terrible for her. I really believe she is a victim (even tho' she may not feel like one right now) She is getting raked over the coals on the news and they are talking about cancelling her show. Great, she's pregnant, now let's make her unemployed and pregnant!! It's sad.

I don't agree with her being a victim because I just really don't believe she is. But I can understand where you are coming from & respect your view. I just really think she was old enough to know what she was doing....a lot of teens have sex and know what they are doing...and just because she chose to have sex with an 18 year old doesn't make it any different to me.

And I can understand canceling her show. Nickolodean is a children's channel, and Zoey 101 is a children/preteen show. I guess I just think it would be pretty wierd for her to still be playing a kid on a children's tv show, when she's pregnant...not exactly a good example for other kids

Unfortunately, she's just going to have to live with the consequences of her mistake.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: to ALL of that - well said girl! ;)

I agree with what you said. There are soo many girls out there having sex, celebrities and non celebrities, the only thing is that she got pregnant and decided to keep it so it's out there for everyone to talk about. About her show I heard Nickolodean is thinking of making a special about teen pregnancy.