Okay, laws aside...when it comes down to kids younger than 11 or 12, the whole issue is puberty. An adult relationship involves a certain degree of physical intimacy that an 11-12 year old (and younger) isn't ready to deal with. When 6th graders date, it's for like a week of holding hands, and they don't even know what the fuck they're doing, other than being friends with a girl or with a boy, which has become taboo in the playground society. I think that's the borderline for relationships...if a 35 year old wants to be "boyfriend and girlfriend" with a 10 year old, but maintain a non-sexual relationship, (it's mainly just suspicious), but come on, what on earth could they have in common to build an intimate friendship on? *shrug*

I think the years between 11 and 14 are more about learning about yourself than learning about someone else...so intimate relationships are prpetty much questionable...after that it's about the comfort level of the two involved.