Board Thread:Rant and Rave/@comment-28162607-20180220221000/@comment-31231929-20180220235509

I also believe that Neal/Baelfire was mentally older than Emma because he had been alive for much longer than her. Just because Neverland stopped his physical aging, doesn't mean it stopped his mental aging. The show/writers have never stated anything (to my knowledge) about mental aging in Neverland so it's really a matter of opion. I also believe he was mentally older because he aged 8-9 years in the LWM based on the fact that he was still physically 14/15 when he escaped Neverland due to him spending less than a year with the Darlings. Based on his wanted poster stating his birth year, his physical age is 22/23. There is a large difference in maturity levels between a 22/23 year old and a 16/17 year old. I am of the opinion that Emma was 17 when Henry was born and either 16 or 17 when he was concieved because:

Henry was already 10 on Emma's 28th birthday, meaning his birthday comes before hers in the year. If we go off his birthday being in August, he would have been concieved in November when Emma was barely 17. However, Adam and Eddy have stated that her and Neal's relationship took place during the summer. If we go off that, Henry would have been concieved when Emma was 16 and born roughly between September and October 27th. But because of it being a teenage pregnancy, it is highly possible he was a premature baby and the stated birthday fits with the timeline. So Henry's birthday being August 15th works with Emma being either 16 or 17.

Emma was under the age of consent in Oregon when Henry was concieved so her and Neal's relationship being sexual in nature was illegal and statutory rape. I personally find a sexual relationship (or a relationship in general) between a teenager and someone in their early 20s to be morally wrong because the adult is more mentally mature than the teenager who can practically be considered a child. Especially if the teenager in question is a homeless runaway with a low education level and possibly not knowing the full risks of unprotected sex.