Age gaps?

[Megson]

How many years is too big of an age gap?

I've noticed, like for example, that a 19 year old dating a 13 year old is typically frowned upon.

But when it is a 20 year old dating someone who is 26, it's a little less taboo.

What kind of age gaps do you think are "too much"? Is it different if the younger one is male or female? Like, is an 18-year old boy dating a 28-year old woman worse if the genders were reversed?

[HockeyLovesMe]

i think if its within yur own school then its ok like jr high or hs or college :)

[Miserabilia]

Its not about the difference in years its about the difference in development.
If a 40 year old man dates a 30 year old woman its okay, however if a 20 year old man dates a 10 year old girl, its starting to get kinda pedobear.

[indoxyl]

pretty similar to what cheesee said. i think it has something to do with maturity and development. when I was seventeen I dated someone who was 23 and we had a decent relationship. we had things in common and we had experience with relationships. what would a 19 year old have in common with a 13 year old? probably noy very much. plus the 13 year old is just starting to get into the dating thing so they dont have experience. i dont know.

[Mob Boss]

To me, it depends on the age of maturity the two people are versus the age in between the two people. It ultimately boils down to maturity. I, personally, think two or three years isn't bad. However, I don't really think there is a definite answer for every one person. As I already said, it depends on each persons level of maturity. I think once people grow into adults age isn't such an issue because nearly everyone is emotionally, physically, sexually developed, etc. However I really think teens and pre-teens can be a year or two apart, yet seem like eons when it comes to maturity and development.

[carli]

Once you're out of school, I think it's acceptable. However, I still think it's pretty creeeeepy to date a 40 year old when you're 20.. Just my opinion! My grandparents are 10 years apart, so maybe it just depends!

[Horatio Nelson]

To me, it depends on the age of maturity the two people are versus the age in between the two people. It ultimately boils down to maturity. I, personally, think two or three years isn't bad. However, I don't really think there is a definite answer for every one person. As I already said, it depends on each persons level of maturity. I think once people grow into adults age isn't such an issue because nearly everyone is emotionally, physically, sexually developed, etc. However I really think teens and pre-teens can be a year or two apart, yet seem like eons when it comes to maturity and development.

This pretty much says my thoughts on the matter.

[badthoughts]

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[PerpetualImperfexion]

I think the older someone gets the bigger the age gap becomes. At a younger age its hard to even meet someone 5-6 years older than you and then you have the legal issues... At our age I see nothing wrong with a two or three year gap. I don't see why the gender situation you described is an issue, but I suppose it is. I've always heard that girls mature faster, perhaps they're looking for an older more mature guy?

[scott757]

The way I've looked at it is that in School a two year gap either way is acceptable really, I think the big problem with this age is that the legal age is right there, I know not all relationships are sexual or anything but people may see it as an 18 year old going out with a 14 year old - they are perverted because the 14 year old is under the legal age and therefore it is frowned upon by them in that sense. I feel as we get older if a 30 year old is with a 22 year old it doesn't seem too bad as they are adults and are both simmilar in attitudes and stuff, however if a 20 year old goes out with a 12 year old then it is just seen as bad and perverted, I think a lot of the prejudice of it comes down to where that legal age sits. Thats my thoughts about it anyway...

[Jacketh]

Its an interesting one. One of my friends is 16 and is dating a 22 year old. It looks quite strange as he is a lorry driver, overweight and goes to the pub every night. She is a young, blonde haired 16 year girl. Saying this, they do love each other and have a sexual relationship. Is this morally correct? Opinions will obviously differ.

Like a lot of you have said, as you get older the age gap doesn't even become a factor as you've both matured. I'm only 16, but I believe from the ages between 16-23, you mature a lot as a person. You develop your own views and you're finally in the real world doings thing for yourself. Interesting topic.

[teen.jpg]

I think you should only date within your stage in your life. School-aged people shouldn't date retirement-age people, if you get what I mean.

[Snookers]

I think 5 years is more than enough.

[Eric57]

It depends really. If you are in high school, personally, I think you should date people only in high school, unless you are say a senior in high school and you are dating a freshmen in college. That is perfectly fine. However, I don't think someone who is in high school (say 15-17 years old) should be dating people who are 22 and beyond.

Again, it all boils down to maturity. I am 20 years old and I am currently seeing a man who is 31 years old. It is a very large age gap, especially for me considering I am young, but I'm mature enough to handle it.

[justin 13]

Well I like older guys, but not over 17.

[Cece14]

about 8 year diffrence is okay

[Fanta_Lover44]

Well to be fair, It depends on the gap, wait till you or the partner finishes school and do what makes you happy. I would say go for someone within 7-8 years at max, but that's me. Whatever you feel makes you happy.

[Cygnus]

This is supposedly the socially acceptable age gaps.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/17/Half-age-plus-seven-relationship-rule.svg

[honeybear]

all my serious boyfriends have been anywhere from 5-11 years older than me and it has never been an issue for us....my parents are acceptive of it so *shrug* really depends on the people

[hipster101]

I love this discussion...so many different opinions. Personally, age matters when it is a question of maturity. My honest opinion is. If two people (within reason, the age gap isn't too big) are happy then they need to be left alone. People argue that the age gap between my gf and I is bad. I'm 17 she's 14. It all boils down to maturity for me

[Terrell613091]

Agreed XD

[Unique Physique]

When you're a teen, age gaps are a big deal. I don't believe 18/19 year olds should generally go out with anyone under the age of 16, simply because of age of consent laws and social/maturity differences. As for going out with someone older than them, well, when you're 18+ it's legal and completely down to choice.

I'm 20, and personally I would not go for a guy under the age of 17 or older than about 27/28.

[Professional Russian]

Its not about the difference in years its about the difference in development.
If a 40 year old man dates a 30 year old woman its okay, however if a 20 year old man dates a 10 year old girl, its starting to get kinda pedobear.

i agreee wiith this. its not age. its more of developement