Significant Age Difference

[Vegas2933]

So I'm friends with two 12 year old boys who are identical twins; the way the school system is over here, I was in my last year off high school and they were just starting, and since my school doesn't really separate the older and younger students very well, we became friends.

When we met, I was 16, they were 11. They turned 12 in May and I turned 17 yesterday.

The problem is, people think our friendship is weird due to the age gap and even the teachers at the school tried to separate us. (But they were told where to go)

I'm asking for opinions on the age gap and the backlash surrounding it.

Thanks. :)

[Jake445]

I can see why teachers would be unhappy about your friendship but there is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with it. I don't have friends with such a big age difference between us but having younger or older friends is perfectly normal.

[Tim the Enchanter]

I mean yeah I can kinda see why people saw it weird because of the age gap. Uh what all did you guys do?

[Vegas2933]

I mean yeah I can kinda see why people saw it weird because of the age gap. Uh what all did you guys do?

We just hang out around town and they were at my birthday outing yesterday.

[Tim the Enchanter]

We just hang out around town and they were at my birthday outing yesterday.

I mean there isn't a problem if its just stuff like that, you can kinda be like a big brother to them right?

[kro814]

5 year difference. If you are just platonic friends then I don't see any issue. What about their parents?

[ska8er]

I could c with the age prob. I wouldn't
say weird but people do talk. What do
their parents say? If they don't c a prob
then I don't c anything wrong with it but
b careful.

[Just JT]

You got some good advice here man...take it for what it is....
If you guys are just friends then cool, I really don’t see anything wrong with it
And who cares what others think....
Bu5 if their parents object....and becomes a different relationship then things MAY need to be re-evaluated

Them at 12 you at 17 is a big age difference...now....but that’s simply chronological years....not maturity or common interests

[cinderfella]

I find myself in a similar situation given my weird family situation especially coz we move a lot. I can't be picky with friends that I have so if some younger dude is cool and doesn't get on my nerves of course I'll be good friends with them especially coz I have a younger bro who is 9.

It doesn't really matter what your intentions are as long as they don't abuse the younger dude. When we grow up probably about a decade from now, a 5 year age gap will be normal due to the how life is after being a teen. We will probably laugh at how when were growing up, we wouldn't consider or be caught dead being friends with each other because of life, street cred or reasons.

I mean look at the parents age thread. There are reasonable amounts of couples there with around 5 age gap. Did it stop them from having beautiful lives together and families. Of course, not.

As long as your intentions are pure and not harmful I say its all good.

[Vegas2933]

Their parents were a little hesitant at first but after they met me they came around. Their opinion was the only one I really cared about to be honest. :)

[hayley2003]

i bet it gets less and less strange over time. even 1-2 years now it will be no big deal. of course, it all kinda depend on type of friendship is going on.

[azurzg]

Nobody should tell you whom to be friends with, and *any age difference* is fine for friends.

I am 18. My oldest friend is 36 (female). My youngest friend is 14 (male).

I just recently took my two cousins to the movies who are 11 and 12. I would not call them "friends", but I like spending time with them; and they much prefer going to the movies with me than with their parents.

[Katie2003]

As long as it's a friendship and nothing more, then I don't see any problems if your parents and their parents all approve of it.

It even works in dating relationships, I prefer to date older girls, my current girlfriend is 19 and I'm 15. I have a male cousin who is 18 and will only date women at least 10 years older than himself and has been on dates with women ranging from 29 to 40.

[Taylormade]

I don't see a big problem with it. I mean, everyone always suspects the worst but there are many perfectly normal reasons to be friends with someone. People get long because they like each other, that's all.

[Second Chance]

I agree with the others that as long as what you have with the younger guys is just a friendship and nothing more, then it is not a big deal to be friends with them. My guess is that your relationship is more like a big brother/little brothers type of thing, and it really should not be a big deal. As long as parents are comfortable with all of you hanging out, then this should not be a big deal.

If the teachers are making a problem, then it is probably best that you keep your interactions with your friends at school to a minimum. Once you're outside of school, then the teachers can't tell you folks what to do.