Josh, it depends where you want to take it, and how mature your 16-year-old friend is... Is he at least gay? Or maybe you aren't sure yet.... I don't think three years' difference is very meaningful, and it gets less important as you grow older too... Best of luck with this one, mate.
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From a legal point of view, there is nothing wrong with a 19 and 16 year old dating.
From a moral point of view, there is nothing wrong with a 19 year old dating a 16 year old.
Most 16 year old are at least as mature, sometimes more mature, than 19 year olds, and with a few years between you there is still a lot of room for you to share common interestes and move in similar social circles.
as with all relationships, the most important thing is respect, so if you are both happy together, then there is no real reason why you shouldn't date.
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Herein lies the problem with dead set age of consent. You have kids who are 18+ a couple years who are in a relationship with ones a couple years less than 18. just a few years down the road nobody would bat an eye at say a 24 year old dating an 18 year old (or marrying for that matter).
Legally you have to follow the law of the land. In only 2 years he most likely will be legal (unless NZ has a higher age).
Of course there is the old Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, it is actually good for more than just military....
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age of consent in NZ is 16, and NZ is seen as being more liberal with same sex relationship then Australia.
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Actually Bowyn, for most of the developed world, and actually much of the US, the age of consent is 16. The 18 thing is so widely thought because most American media is produced out of California or New York, which have 18 and 17 as ages of consent respectively.
A lot of countries also recognize close in age exemptions, to prevent things like a 16 year old dating a 15 year old being illegal.
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