A hundred years ago a 14 year old girl was a WOMAN and often married - a 16 year old might already have a child or TWO and by 30 might be a GRANDMOTHER. A woman was considered old enough to marry once she reached puberty
I do not think PEOPLE have changed so much, I think the TIMES and SOCIETY have changed and people are still the same. It is no longer acceptable to marry at 14 and yet I have friends in their 60's, 70's and above who DID - and had/have wonderful marriages - and now are celebrating Golden Wedding Anniversaries.
EDUCATION is the answer, not laws. We are NOT going to change 14 or 16 year old girls and they will do what they are going to do regardless of the LAW. I did, and almost every NORMAL woman I know did too.
My date to my 9th grade prom (I was 14) was 21 years old and a long-haired musician! I dated him with my PARENT'S CONSENT and you know what, NOTHING BAD HAPPENED. I am not scarred and I was not "damaged" by the relationship in ANY WAY. My parents thought me mature enough to date this young man...AND I WAS. I did not get pregnant, I did not get married until I was MUCH older (ancient by many standards
), I graduated college and am very successful and have been a happy and optimistic person my whole life. In high school and college I always dated men AT LEAST 4 or 5 years older - the ones who were my age were immature and childish. My HUSBAND however, is my age. I chose him using the EXPERIENCE I gained from years of dating and serious relationships with men who were mentally and emotionally my equals, despite my age.
Every situation is NOT the same. I cannot imagine a 16 year old being attracted to a 50 year old man (I wasn't) but I also know that some relationships appear to be "night and day" and yet are in truth, the BEST and most rewarding and romantic and the couple are truly soul-mates.
At least she is being honest (and he is too) and while I would NOT APPROVE of them living together I cannot say in all honesty that she is a "child" or too young to date him.
My Opinion