Help!

“Okay here goes. I don't want to give a Comparative Sociology course, nor get into a discussion about 'mores' (... as the Romans do.) or Morals (The Romans ought not to do that.) Suffice it to say that Quebec society (even the English part, but more so the French) is very different from the rest of North America.

My Girls' captain (high school rugby team) is a straight A student in a class of straight A students; this is the advanced profile class with advanced math, physics and chemtistry. They will all go to university in highly technical fields. She is also bilingual, which means she (and many others) are wasting their time in my English as a second language class, but she does the work because, well, because it has to be done. They finish my 75 minute class in about 15 and get down to History projects or math homework.

Anyway, she mentionned during a slow period that she might miss a match or two this spring. She explained that her boyfriend, who goes to college, was taking her to Disneyworld for a week after his term ends and before he starts his summer job. Obviously, these kids are not hurting financially in any way.

The thing is, she is 16 and he will be 20. I mentionned that there might be a problem here in the (legal) eyes of all the Floridians. My class burst out in laughter, but I assured them I was serious. These kids will be staying in a D-world hotel.

Now I need some BETA, not just opinions and I thought of TT as being my first access to solid info. Am I right to be nervous for them (he's a former student, rugby player and friend), or am I really an incredibly old fogey and nervous Nellie? Please don't wear out your finger tips pounding out messages of moral outrage because I won't bite. Thank you.”

“The twenty year old won't even be able to get a nice motel/hotel room unless he turns 21 before then.”

“They won't have any problems at Disney or in Florida at all. It's Disney world, not a Southern Baptist Church. Tell them to come to Florida and have a good time, we need the tourist $$$$$.”

“You only have to be 18 get a hotel room.”

“Alright but anywhere inbetween FLA and Quebec they won't be able to get a hotel room.”

“Transporting a minor across state lines for immoral purposes is a violation of the Mann Act. A federal felony. Relative consent of the minor is irrelevant. Although this Act traces its beginning back to the late 1800's when it was enacted to stop the flow of prostitutes being moved west, the United States Attorney's office still uses this law to prosecute in situations like the scenario you have listed. However, I am not sure that either you or the law will discourage this trip. Good Luck.”

“OKAY! In Michigan they will not be able to get a hotel room! Geez :o)”

“Thanks.”

“BRAVO CHILI!
Besides-why would any 20 year old worth a damn mess with a 16 year old girl?
Too stupid to date a peer?

Father of two daughters speaking.”

“In Mass we have a very weird law... I looked up the exact wording on the web:

"GENERAL LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS

Chapter 272, Section 4. Whoever induces any person under eighteen of chaste life to have unlawful sexual intercourse shall be punished as provided in the preceding section."

Otherwise, the age of consent is 16.”

“chili36 neglected to mention that the Mann Act allows for up to 5 years in federal prison.

Can I please wear out my finger tips pounding out messages of moral outrage?

- Father of three daughters”

“I don't think anyone will know unless her parents complain. They don't check passenger/guest ID's for much unless they get arrested for something”

“So what happens if a sixteen yr old dates a fourteen yr old...2 years later, it's an eighteen yr old dating a sixteen yr old. In the first case, it's legal. In the second it's illegal, but it's the same couple. Gray area.”