Is it legal for a 17-year-old male to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old female if she consents?

The legality of sexual activity involving minors revolves primarily around the concept of age of consent, which varies significantly by state or country. In many jurisdictions, the age of consent is set to protect minors and typically ranges from 16 to 18 years. While one of the individuals may consent to engage in sexual activity, the law often stipulates that a minor cannot provide valid consent if they are below a certain age, which means that any sexual activity below this age would be considered illegal, regardless of mutual agreement.

In this case, if the established age of consent in the jurisdiction is 16 or higher, a 17-year-old engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old would indeed be considered illegal, as the younger individual is below the age set by law to provide valid consent. Therefore, the answer that asserts it is illegal accurately reflects the legal implications surrounding age and consent.

This understanding is essential for ensuring that individuals, particularly minors, are protected from exploitation and that the laws surrounding consent are adhered to within varying legal frameworks.