Is it legal for a 18 year old male to date a 16 year old female in California?

It may or may not be legal for an 18 year old to date a 16 year old. If the 18 year old has a criminal record, or is a sex offender, or is a teacher or coach or in another position of trust or authority, it will not be legal for the 18 year old to date the 16 year old. Also, it is not legal for the 18 year old to have sex with the 16 year old. It is also illegal for the 18 year old to purchase or share cigarettes or alcohol with the 16 year old. It is also illegal for the 18 year old to bring the 16 year old to an R-rated or NC-17 movie. It is also illegal for the 18 year old to show any pornography to the 16 year old, or to pose the 16 year old for any sort of sexual or provocative photos. It is, therefore, extremely unwise for an 18 year old to date a 16 year old. It is best for an 18 year old to date only those known and proven to be over the age of 18. Unless both the 18 year old and 16 year old are students dating while both are in high school, their dating will be considered very socially unacceptable and suspect. Usually, when a person graduates high school, he or she stops dating anyone who is still in high school. They might wait a few years until the younger one is over 18 and then resume the relationship if both are still interested. Dating anyone who is not also legally an adult is extremely risky. It is considered extremely socially unacceptable and suspect for anyone in college or in the work world to be dating a 16 year old child who is still in high school. By doing so, one opens oneself up to easy accusations of child rape. Therefore, it is safest legally and socially for an adult to date only other adults. There are plenty of people in prison for having sex with a person who was under the age of 18.

Date? Yes. Have sex with? No.

Date, yes. Sex, no.

There is no law against "dating" a minor. However, having sex with a girl under 18 would constitute statutory rape. Also various other activities might constitute lewd and lascivious acts with a minor. Remember, even at 16, the law considers the girl to still be a child. But, at 18, it considers you to be an adult.

Dating is ok, sexual relations can get you in trouble for statutory rape.

Date, yes. Sex, no. So, why mess with such a dangerous thing?

Depends on what you mean by "date". Have sex, make out? No, that's illegal. Go to the movies? That's legal.

You can date anyone you want but the age of consent in California is 18. If you were to have sexual relations, you could face a misdemeanor charge.

Date okay. Sex no way.

Sure, just don't "do" it.