If you are under 18 or have a mental disorder, can you legally give consent?

The correct answer indicates that individuals under 18 years of age or those with a mental disorder cannot legally give consent. This is rooted in legal and ethical considerations aimed at protecting vulnerable populations.

In many legal systems, the age of consent is established to ensure that individuals engaging in certain activities are of an age where they can fully understand and agree to the implications of their decisions. When it comes to mental health, individuals with certain mental disorders may not have the cognitive capacity to understand the nature and consequences of the consent they are giving.

Thus, the law generally establishes that minors and individuals with cognitive impairments lack the legal ability to consent. This helps prevent exploitation and ensures that consent is given freely and with adequate understanding of the circumstances involved.