Age gaps in relationships, how much is too much?

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

1. Really? "I'm 19 and he's almost 20"? 19 IS almost 20. You're the same age.
2. Yeah, that's kinda creepy. And the law agrees with me, if they have sex it's statutory rape. You should probably let him know.

 

[callmegreen]

The WHole high school thing is diffrent in canada cuz we start highschool at 8th grade so its no really Okay to date a senior Just because you goto school together because we start at 13 and leave at like 17/18/19 soo its... uhh yeah

EDIT: Also this Reminds me of scott pilgrim LOL

 

[Baradiel]

Theres a girl at school living with a guy who is between 30 and 40. She's 17. He looks like her Dad, grey hair etc.

Thats... a bit extreme.

 

[Lenvoran]

Depending on where you are it's different. Age of consent in Washington (State) is 16. If you're in Washington or anywhere else that has a similar (or maybe even lower ) age of consent, it's perfectly legal.

As for creepiness factor, my parents have a 6 year age difference, got married within a month of meeting one another, all while my father was 19 years of age. They've been happily married for 21 years now. I don't really think age difference matters as much as compatibility. I've always gotten along far better with those significantly my senior than people of my own age.

They're all just numbers to me.

 

[Devious Boomer]

I could care less about an age gap. As long as both parties are completely content with each other, are open and honest with their intentions, then it's all fair in my eyes. I just don't think it's fair to judge people without getting to know them well first.
I've heard people say, "Geez, what a friggin' creep. She's three grades lower than him." or "He's just taking advantage of her. She's going to regret it." or "He's just immature and can't handle women his age."
Whilst there might be some merit to their statements due to past observations (especially during the hormonal teenage years), it is still only a value judgment and a preconception and people really should not judge until they have concrete evidence to their suspicions. Perhaps why some guys choose girls about 3-5 years their junior is that these girls remind them of a carefree youth they barely had or have since left behind. Perhaps it's just the shallowness of capturing fleeting youthful beauty. Who knows?

As for me, my bottom limit is 14-15 years old. No lower. Some younger girls are very easy on the eyes, but there is no lasting attraction. Why I prefer girls of around 20-something? Larger chance that they'll know themselves better, are less shy and thereby easier and more interesting to talk to.

 

[The Unworthy Gentleman]

Always follow the rule, it will never do you wrong.

([Your age]/2)+7

If you get .5 on the end then you can round up or round down, depending on the girl. He is not within the rule and is therefore too old. It's irrelevant really though, if they like each other then let them be.

 

[Gralian]

On paper, it's a little bit creepy. Though honestly as a 20 year old male myself i don't really feel mentally that much different to how i was 4 or 5 years ago. I didn't suddenly pop a magic pill and go 'woah. I'm suddenly a sophisticated and completely mature adult with a superior mind to my later teenage years'. That's not to say i'm a mentally incapable child; just that i haven't had some life changing epiphany that's suddenly made me different or worldly. So in that sense, if i was the guy dating the 16 year old girl, i wouldn't feel that weird about it. (The age of consent in the UK is 16) I think young people are more aware of their actions and impact of their decisions than we give them credit for and we shouldn't dismiss their wishes as frivolous and without thought.

 

[Gigano]

Don't see much wrong with a 19 year old and a 16 year old dating if that's their thing.

Girl should probably do better than someone who's two years behind graduation schedule though, even if she likes older guys. And there's actually a physiological reason [http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Boys_Girls/] this relationship age gap between young couples isn't entirely uncommon; in general, when under age 30 young men of equal age simply aren't as mentally developed, due to slower brain development, and understandably some young women just can't be bothered.

 

[El Poncho]

Half your age plus 7, it's what I go by.

 

[GrimTuesday]

Depending on where you are it's different. Age of consent in Washington (State) is 16. If you're in Washington or anywhere else that has a similar (or maybe even lower ) age of consent, it's perfectly legal.

As for creepiness factor, my parents have a 6 year age difference, got married within a month of meeting one another, all while my father was 19 years of age. They've been happily married for 21 years now. I don't really think age difference matters as much as compatibility. I've always gotten along far better with those significantly my senior than people of my own age.

They're all just numbers to me.

Alright I don't normally bring threads back after a couple of hours but I just have to for this cause it was so perfect. I am from Washington too XD. While them dating is legal, if they were to have sex it would be illegal, as she is still considered a minor. Age of consent means that it is now their decision, not their parents, but because the age difference is 3, almost 4 years, its considered statutory rape.

 

[Lenvoran]

Alright I don't normally bring threads back after a couple of hours but I just have to for this cause it was so perfect. I am from Washington too XD. While them dating is legal, if they were to have sex it would be illegal, as she is still considered a minor. Age of consent means that it is now their decision, not their parents, but because the age difference is 3, almost 4 years, its considered statutory rape.

Actually, for statutory rape, the difference in age must be greater than 60 months (5 years) once you hit the age of consent. So, it is entirely legal for a 16 year old to have sex with individuals up to 21 years of age. So they're relationship (and whatever that implies) is completely legal, though many would consider it somewhat weird.

 

[GrimTuesday]

Alright I don't normally bring threads back after a couple of hours but I just have to for this cause it was so perfect. I am from Washington too XD. While them dating is legal, if they were to have sex it would be illegal, as she is still considered a minor. Age of consent means that it is now their decision, not their parents, but because the age difference is 3, almost 4 years, its considered statutory rape.

Actually, for statutory rape, the difference in age must be greater than 60 months (5 years) once you hit the age of consent. So, it is entirely legal for a 16 year old to have sex with individuals up to 21 years of age. So they're relationship (and whatever that implies) is completely legal, though many would consider it somewhat weird.

Huh, well I guess you learn something new every day.

 

[Plurralbles]

Surprised no-one had posted this yet. Outside of that though think of the gap rather than the ages. Its just a 4 year gap, nothing too difficult.

well.. I did post the age/creepiness formula... I completely forgot XKCD even had a comic on the subject.

 

[EeveeElectro]

I don't think that's creepy at all... in the UK, 16 is the age of consent, so it's perfectly legal. Incredibly young and incredibly old would creep me out, I must admit.
I always stick by the fact you can't pick who you fall in love with, so it's pointless judging other peoples relationships because one day you might not be able to help your feelings and become involved in an age difference relationship, then others would be condemning you.

 

[BlueGlowstick]

If they have sex & one of the people is under 18, even if they consented, they can be arrested for statutory rape. But image if a cop dated a 16 yr old & asked for the parents consent to marry the girl. Is that wrong?? (my opinion: YES!! *ughhh!!*) This has happened before, believe it or not...

 

[MordinSolus]

Hm...I'd say he's too old for her. Mainly because there's the 4-year-gap with an under-the-age-of-18 member of the relationship.

 

[Biodeamon]

The biggest age gap in a relationship i could take would be 13 years between them until i start getting creeped out

 

[LHZA]

Have you never heard of the divide by 2 add 7 rule. The youngest person you are allowed to date is half your age plus seven years. So for a 20 year old (20/2)+ 7 = 17. So yah, just turning 16 is too young.

 

[Sealpower]

A friend of mine had a 23 year old boyfriend when she was 16... I found that rather wierd.

I would say at around 20 +-4 should be an acceptable range when you are in your early 20s