Looking at the law... This IS illegal. The question; however, is not directed towards the law, but personal opinions of right and wrong.

In my opinion there are a number of other factors that are not mentioned in the question. The first, and really the only "real" detail left out is the age difference.

When I was in highschool, I had a 23 year old teacher. Is it really that bad for a 23 year old to sleep with a 17 year old? A 4 year or less age difference? ANd yet I have a friend who is 23 dating a 40 year old and no one even raises an eyebrow.

There are other factors involved obviously... such as maturity, past experiences, emotions, ect ect. I for instance was paying my mothers RENT at 15. I now have a friend who is 22 and still lives with his mother and has never had a job or a lisence. This is why Parental consent MUST play a part in these laws.

However... in the end... It is a teacher. And that makes it a crime in much the same way a boss shouldn't sleep with his secretary. There is (even if unspoken) a threat to ones grdes and percieved future. The question is always there in these situations... "what if I say no?"