Can a 16YO Date a 22YO in Spain?
The age of consent in Spain is currently 16. However, TeenHealthFX is unsure of any possible legal issues pertaining to a dating relationship between a 16yo and 22yo, as well as any potential cultural beliefs/issues that may also exist.
While there is certainly the potential for legal, cultural and family issues in a dating situation like this, FX thinks it is also important to consider the social, emotional and cognitive differences between a 16yo and 22you in terms of having a healthy dating relationship. A 6-year age difference usually doesn’t mean much for two people who are in their thirties or older, but six years can make a huge difference for children and teens in terms of the various types of growth and development that are occurring. It is important to make sure that the age difference, and any related cognitive, social or emotional differences, are not making the relationship an unhealthy one.
For detailed information of the characteristics of healthy and unhealthy teen relationships, click here.
And if you have any questions or concerns about a relationship you or a friend is in, or are considering being in, the best thing to do would be to talk it over with a trusted adult such as a parent/guardian, the parent/guardian of a friend, a staff member at school, a private therapist or a family doctor.
