At 16 years old, are you old enough to move out and live on your own? Maybe even live with your boyfriend?

Could I move out at 16?

What? You want to live with your Dad?

No, get my own place or just get out of here.

At 16, you can choose to live with the other parent. At 16, you can't sign a lease to get your own place legally.

I could get emancipated and become an adult.

You'd have to get a GED to finish your education and get a job to pay for a place. Could you do all of that?

I'd like to live with friends.

I hope to God, it isn't living with your boyfriend.

I want to do what I want!

You may be old enough to have an abortion without me knowing, but are you responsible enough to not get pregnant in the first place?

Yes, I can, and I will.

You're not old enough to join the military or get a credit card. You can't get a full time job or drive without my permission.

If I'm emancipated, I could.

You have to prove child abuse or child neglect, and you're more likely to end up in foster care than be a legal adult. Or sent to live with your father or grandparents than be free.

You're so strict, and restrictive -

If you get in a car crash, I have to pay the insurance premiums and the repairs. If you go on a rampage and destroy someone's business, I have to pay the bill while you get community service. If I pay the bills, I make the rules.

What am I supposed to do then?

Get a job, start saving up money and planning on living on your own!

I am!

No, no, no! I mean start working after school now and saving up so you can pay to move out on your 18th birthday.

I just might do that.

Please do, since it will keep you out of trouble more than anything else I could do. And remember -- my place, my rules.

If I have my own place, I can have my own rules. And my boyfriend over.

At 18, the two of you could get married, too.

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