age of consent

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age of consent

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

age of consent the age at which, according to the law, persons are bound by their words and acts. There are different ages at which one acquires legal capacity to consent to marriage, to choose a guardian, to conclude a contract, and the like. For marriage, the age may be higher for males than for females if the jurisdiction does not guarantee equal rights to men and women. Age of consent also means the age below which consent of the female to sexual intercourse is not a defense to a charge of rape . Under common law this age was 10; state statutes in the United States generally set it between 13 and 18. See also consent .

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consent, age of

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | | © The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 2006, originally published by Oxford University Press 2006. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

consent, age of the age at which a person's consent to sexual intercourse is valid in law.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "consent, age of." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 29 Nov. 2009 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "consent, age of." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (November 29, 2009). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-consentageof.html

ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "consent, age of." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Oxford University Press. 2006. Retrieved November 29, 2009 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-consentageof.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article Burns voices opposition to lowering of age of consent.
Newspaper article from: Antrim Times (Antrim, Ireland); 5/12/2008
Free Article Opposition grows to age of consent law.
Newspaper article from: Londonderry Sentinel (Portadown, Northern Ireland); 5/7/2008
Free Article Age of consent. (Letters).(Letter to the Editor)
Magazine article from: National Catholic Reporter; 1/18/2002

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