Getting serious

  • Your rights when you’re under 18 are all about protecting you so you can grow and develop healthily
  • You have a right to privacy, but a lot of what you can do in a relationship depends on what the law – and your parents – say until you’re 18
  • If you’re being forced into a relationship, or to do something you don’t want, you should be protected

Having a relationship with a girlfriend or boyfriend is a special thing. When you’re under 18, and want to get serious with someone, you might feel like the rights that are there to protect you are actually making things difficult for you. You have a right to privacy, but your children’s rights give your parents (or the people with parental responsibility for you) the role of looking after you and guiding you until you’re 18.  This means that you might have to get your parents’ permission to do some of the things you want to do – and also that you can get into trouble for doing some things if you’re not at a certain age.

 

 

 

 

We are very grateful to Irwin Mitchell Solicitors for generously giving their time and expertise to check the content of this section of the website. October 2018