Is it legal for a 17-year-old to go out with a 40-year-old?

Is it legal to date him? Probably. Is it legal to have sex with him? That depends a lot on where you live. Can your parents stop you from seeing him if they don't approve of the relationship? Probably. Like it or not, until you're 18, you're a minor. That means your parents have the right to decide who you can/can't spend time with. But the bigger issue here is why would a 40 year old man want to date a 17 year old girl? Most (and I'd venture as far as to say *all*) normal, well-adjusted 40 year old men would balk at the idea of having this kind of relationship with someone who's less than half their age. Most adult men who date young girls, do it because (1) they are very immature themselves--and immature men don't make for very good life partners and/or (2) young girls are easier to control--big, big warning there! Now I know you're probably saying 'but it's not like that with us'. Honey, we all want to think we're the exception to the rule, but very few of us are :) Be smart! Listen to your head as well as your heart.