comment: >
  
  Friendo, if you’re 50 and you’re willing to date someone who just turned 18 because they’re finally legal….you’re also willing to date someone who will “be 18 soon enough”.
context: I dunno. I’m 44 years old. I guess I’d just feel weird dating someone who wasn’t even born when I was a legal adult, or who is closer to my 14 year old daughters age than my age. >
  
  Huh? You mean as a grown adult you don't want to pillow talk about literal high school drama? /s >
  
  What kind of love do you think a 50 year old could see in an 18 year old? >
  
  If he's with her for her looks and she's with him for his money isn't that a fair trade? >
  
  I mean I guess? but that doesn't absolve them of judgement from others. When I hear that, I just think it sounds like such a superficial and meaningless relationship between vapid people >
  
  That's not your business >
  
  It doesn't have to be your business for you to have a negative impression of something. If you jump in front of their faces and start insulting them, yeah, that's fucked up. But if you just think they're vapid people based on their life choices, you're well within your rights. >
  
  Why so judgy? I'm not for or against it necessarily, but why do people act so judgy around this subject? Like, how does some other relationship between two consenting adults affect you personally lol >
  
  Again, we're just talking about having an opinion, not getting involved or even expressing that opinion to the other person. 
  Do you think that the simple act of forming an opinion is some huge emotionally involved act of aggression? If you see someone walking down the street in a gimp suit are you literally incapable of even having the thought that that's kinda crazy because you're so committed to "minding your own business" and "not being judgy"? 
  If I get the impression that someone is only dating someone else for looks or money, my impression is that that sounds vapid. I'm not making a choice to have that opinion; it's just a gut reaction. >
  
  Yeah my former coworker married a 19 year old (mail order bride) at the age of 41.  He had been "dating" her and have sex with her since 15.  He was arrested a month ago on 9 felony counts of child molestation involving a family member. >
  
  My ex husband is 42 and I'm 24. 
  He met me online when I was 15. He wanted to take my virginity before I reached age of consent, and he has at least 2-3 years worth of CSAM with me in it.
  So here's my question: What on earth does a grown man have in common with a teenager, and why do you want a teenager more than a grown woman? >
  
  That’s entirely different dawg >
  
  Not really. I'll be hard-pressed to find an example of a healthy age gap relationship. >
  
  Literally any who don’t involve one person being groomed. No offense but you were groomed. That’s different. >
  
  I'm well aware I was groomed. 
  All I'm asking is for a reasonable explanation as to why it's okay for grown men to date teens. So far, no one has been able to justify it. >
  
  Here's the thing, you don't have to justify it if there's no manipulation (if legal). >
  
  Im a 19 year old who constantly get hit on by 30/40 year olds I’m sorry idc if u see me as a adult it’s gross and I will judge you and so will my peers. >
  
  Same, it’s disgusting and I always judge them when they try to come at me. I want a young partner that is around my age so F off. >
  
  I mean that's cool for you, but no one is forcing you into a relationship with these men and the OP is referencing consenting relationships. >
  
  And I’m saying that I find it gross and so do my friends grown adults who could be our parents have no business hitting on us or trying to groom… someone who is 19 and someone’s who is 40 have nothing in common whatsoever and no it’s not “cool” I made it pretty clear that i was grossed out by it so this is for all the old people here DON’T HIT ON US YOU CREEP THANK U. >
  
  Adults don’t groom adults. I think you’re using that wrong. Fwiw. >
  
  People  can certainly groom someone who just graduated from high school. They have NO LIFE EXPERIENCE….so the they have nothing to judge on. The person who is older can use that to groom them into something they want…it’s gross. >
  
  If age doesn’t matter a gorgeous and cunning woman could groom a rich mentally feeble desperate man just as well. I’m sure it happens all the time. I think it’s more just taking advantage of a fellow adult. It’s not any better. Grooming is usually an adult grooming someone underage so when they become of age they’re just what they want. >
  
  What an 18 who just got out of high school can easily be groomed into something they want. >
  
  It seems like the majority of these comments are people not understanding a 38 year old dating an 18 year is much worse then a 68 year old dating a 48 year old. It is creepy if you go for solely 18-20 year olds and we all know you would go lower if you had the chance and it was legal. It creepy and weird >
  
  "legally consenting adult" - the age of consent ranges from like 13+ depending on the country you go to. Teenagers are not adults because the law says they are. Not sure how people think its moral to fuck teens because the law says its ok. >
  
  Not true at all. Even the US has had child brides in the last 50 years >
  
  The fuck how? >
  
  Browsing through this topic, I noticed that the majority, if not all, seem to talk about an older man dating/fucking a young girl.  I'm curious, is it different if it's the other way around?  There seems to be a general acceptance of the "cougar" way of life.  Some old chick fucking a 20 year old man seems to be ok but not the other way around?  I have no dog in this fight, so I could care either way but curious... >
  
  As a 33 year old woman, I would never consider someone under 25.
  I am just one opinion, but no, hell no. While they are at the beginnings of their career, still finding themselves, often inexperienced with female anatomy, and through no fault of their own have limited real world experiences… I am 10 years into my career and wanting to settle down and have kids. These are just not the same tracks. Not throwing shade, but I cannot think why that would be attractive to someone in my shoes at that age. Guys get better at sex in their 30s in my experience… so not sure why you would date young. >
  
  
  Assuming that the older person in this dynamic is a creep or is going to be controlling or toxic, etc., etc., is just wrong.
  
  Stereotypes exist for a reason. >
  
  Yeah New Yorkers (especially NYC) are rude, snobbish assholes that walk fast and think they are better than everyone else. Stereotypes exist for a reason I guess. >
  
  Lots of people making excuses for pedophilia in here. I don't know why I'm surprised. 
  "But it's legallll, just let me fuck a teenager pls. Grown women don't understand me like those teenagers do."
  😒 >
  
  Basically. >
  
  General rule of thumb ... If one was legal when the other was born they should not be in s relationship.
  If them dating a few years ago would have gotten the older one arrested..... They should not be in a relationship
  If one of them has ever bought a new car that Is now older than the other person..... They should not be in a relationship >
  
  Middle can depend. 15 & 18 fall into that category just as much as say a 17 & 30 
  Imo, first one is fine under certain circumstances but the second is disgusting >
  
  Yeah you shouldn't really date outside your maturity level or life stage so a 15 &18 year old shouldn't be dating each other till their mid 20s where they will be around the same stage. 
  EG one is doing college exams that actually matter while the other one is having s panic attack over calculus or thinking the world is going to end because one of their friends is fighting with them 
  Or one is settling down , saving to buy a house while the other doesn't know what they want to do with their life yet let alone where they want to be.
  Both are actual examples taken from mistakes made in my friend group dating older guys >
  
  I can definitely see that happening. I'm 19 and me and my gf (22) have been dating for 3 years. She's already graduated with a bachelor's and currently is working at a fairly prestigious internship in an apartment 600 miles away.
  I on the other hand am starting my second semester of college and work in fast food for gas, just trying to scrape by and not get burnt out.
  According to her and other people I'm close to, I act more mature despite being younger.
  Anyway, the thing I'm trying to say is, depending on the circumstances, the first example of a 3 year gap isn't necessarily bad. In my relatively limited experience, it depends on the people involved in the relationship, how tolerant they are about one another's place in life, and figuring out what they should do from there. >
  
  I dated a 38 year old when I was 19. We were in a band together and I really thought I loved him, but he broke it off because of the age difference. I’m glad he did, looking back. I was the “age is just a number” person but now that I’m the age he was then, I can’t imagine dating a 19-year-old and I don’t blame him at all. I look back fondly on our time together. It’s not always an issue of consent or grooming, and the older party is not always creepy. >
  
  Not sure whether it's an unpopular opinion considering that this pushback against the relationships with huge age gaps (or, more specifically, relationships between people who are barely adults and grown ass people who were already established adults when the younger partners were just starting school) is a fairly new thing and has only got more popular in the last few years. 
  It wasn't so long ago that the countdowns to the young idols' 18th birthdays were very popular, so that they could be considered 'legal'. Most of the shows I watched as a teen portrayed romanticized relationships between teenagers and adult men. The actor who played Ezra in Pretty Little Liars even referred to his role as 'America's most beloved pedophile'. And the show only ended a few years ago. 
  ​
  It's almost like some people just don't like the fact that the society is no longer so accepting of relationships with huge power imbalances where one of the partners is at a higher risk of being taken advantage of. Especially if it's almost always young women who lack experience and don't know how to recognize red flags in a relationship. >
  
  I loved my sweet 16, hated my sweet 18, the amount of unsavory comments from old men was not appreciated...
  Even as a child watching the first Pirates Of The Caribbean (a Walt Disney movie) seeing Elizabeth Swann as a child while James Norrington was a full grown adult manning his own ship, then go on to persue her when she is of age was very creepy, for the time the movie was set in, it was normal and acceptable, but now it is not, women are valued for more than just their "purity" and fertility. >
  
  If they’re happy then cool but they should consider that they might not have much of a future with a significant age difference. >
  
  People love to make assumptions about my husband and I. He's turning 49 and I just turned 23. We don't like that there's such a difference in age, but we share many of the same interests and values. I couldn't ask for a better partner.
  Like, I get it. Sometimes there's bad things going on, but that goes for every type of relationship. If the people are happy, let them be happy. Don't jump to conclusions. >
  
  I think it is a nuanced issue. I have met perpetual children in their 30s who were chasing one degree after the other on their parents dime so they didnt have to go out and provide for themselves. And then there are people like my 22 year old girlfriend working and depending neither on me nor her parents and with her future already planned out. I agree that it shouldnt be taboo and more on a case by case basis. >
  
  Yeah, when people complain about the age gaps of some of the people I date I remind them I graduated college in 2015.  With my Ph.D., but still, I was 31 but still on much the same footing and environment as people in their early 20s.  It doesn't feel unnatural to me at all. >
  
  I agree, but anyone 40+ who only looks for people in their 20's is creepy af. >
  
  Definitely unpopular on Reddit, where people looooove to opine on other people's relationships. >
  
  I think within reason, it’s fine. As you get older it matters less. For instance an 18 year old and a 21 year old is probably fine. Obviously if it’s extreme it’s gonna be an issue >
  
  Bruh 3 years is not an “age gap” relationship lol. If 3 years was frowned upon most of us wouldn’t be born >
  
  i agree with this. and i really wish people would stop caring what adults do dating wise >
  
  My bf is 13 years younger than me. >
  
  My gf is 10 years older than me. I also spent almost all of my 20s dating older women (some of them significantly older). I have absolutely zero regrets and am very amused at the idea by some here that I may have been taken advantaged of. 
  If two consenting adults want to be in a relationship, everyone else should respect it and fuck right off. >
  
  It's only wrong if you are poor. >
  
  So I don’t really see a problem with it.
  A friend of mines parents are nearly 20 years different in age gap. Both been married before, they had two kids together who have left home, and are still happily married. >
  
  Half their age plus 7 is a pretty good acceptable minimum rule tbh >
  
  100% agree. I’m 28, my husband is 45. When we met I was 21 and he was 38. Still very happily married. If it’s not for you or you don’t like it, then don’t do it. But it works out fine for some of us >
  
  Im 45 and my fiance is 36. We've been together 5 years. Nobody ever said anything about it and we never really even talked about it. What kind of age gap is taboo, like 20 years? >
  
  I personalty don't see why your relationship should be taboo. I find relationships where one is very young (18) and the other is maybe in their 30s unsettling.
  I think once both parties pass a certain age it doesn't matter as much because they're far from childhood. >
  
  It's none of my business how others want to live, so I wouldn't find it unsettling. I would be interested to see how it works and the motivation behind it, however. >
  
  I think I feel that way because to get into a relationship you'd have to get to know the person for some time to form a relationship. so I guess I'd be worried that the younger person was groomed over a period of time. >
  
  Good point, I didn't think of that. >
  
  Yeah except lots of young people haven’t developed their personalities fully yet. And young people on average think older people are gross. Sorry. >
  
  Just remember it's the internet folks, whatever you're reading could be completely made up. >
  
  Legality ≠ Morality
  If someone doesn't understand why a 65 year old dating an 18 year old is creepy af, then I wouldn't trust that person around kids. >
  
  To each their own, assuming the consent part. But the taboos come from a long history of terrible behavior. Older people taking advantage of impressionable teenagers. Young people taking advantage of elderly people for their wealth.
  Then, factor in the dynamics of friends wanting to meld their social circles with whomever they're dating. When I was in my 20's, I don't think I would've wanted my friend to bring their 60-year-old SO out drinking with us on the lake. >
  
  This was written by a 40+ year old dating an 18 year old .. “as long as it’s legal , it’s not weird “ >
  
  Nah bro. An 18 year old is is still by name, a teenager. They don't have life experience. And 30 year old going after an 18 year old is gross. But say a 28 year old and 40 year old is fine because the 28 yo is more likely to have life experience >
  
  A 35 year old dating an 18 year old is 100% a red flag. Why? Because maturity is different at those ages. Also because nobody their own age wants to deal with them.
  However a 40 year old and a 60 year old? Different case. Both are fully grown and mature. They can do what they want.
  Rather than an age gap we should be calling it a maturity gap. >
  
  it's not a red flag >
  
  A 35 yr old dating an 18 year old is most definitely a red flag, meaning a sign that one should be on high alert for any potential issues that one typically sees trend in those sorts of relationships. There are therefore questions that should be asked before that "flag" goes down to yellow or green, such as:
  1) Is the older partner using their age as a way to assert dominance over the younger partner? (E.g. Saying "you're young so you don't understand yet" to get what they want.)
  2) Is the older partner using their (usually higher) finances to control the dynamics of the relationship?
  3) Does the older partner display signs that they are dating the younger partner for them as a person, or is it for an ego boost?
  4) Does the older partner often invalidate the youngers' thoughts and opinions, or do they genuinely listen and reciprocate energy?
  5) Does the relationship rely on communication and act as a partnership? Or is there an imbalance of power that significantly leans to one side, thus leading to a hierarchy?
  Source: Dated my 45 y.o. boss at 19. Luckily I got away before I could be trapped, but that's not always the case for everyone. It's not the end of the relationship if one or two things is a "red flag", it just means it needs to be addressed/considered before proceeding forward. >
  
  Hot women come in many ages and colours >
  
  is what adult men who like teens often say. >
  
  Did you miss your good ole fertile days? >
  
  Like I would even procreate with a man and risk him being Mysognistic like you. >
  
  All of these insults because I disagree with fucking teenagers or finding them attractive as grown adults lmao. >
  
  If they meet when the younger person is 23+, I agree. Other than that, case-by-case basis >
  
  I like men who are my age or older to an extent.And nobody in this comment section better infantalize me.Idc if you think a 20 yo is too young to be with someone twice their age cause I'm not a child or teenager anymore. >
  
  You also don't have the 20 years of life experience that your 40 year old boyfriend does. You will most definitely not like the long-term relationship imbalance. >
  
  I think you're right about this. >
  
  I think it does matter. I'm not saying this is the case for all relationships with an age gap, 
  but if the scenario concerns someone around 18yrs old, I don't understand why a older adult (let's say in their 30s) has any business on letting themself get to know such a young teen well enough to initiate a relationship with them. I feel like it is weird, because there's not much difference between a 18yr and a 17yr child. 
  However,  when comparing a 18yr to a 30yr you can surely see why there's a concern for predatory intentions. There's more noticeable difference.
  Yes some people look more mature than their age, hence why you ask how old they are, and if they tell you that they've just turned 18/19, drop it and don't get involved with them romantically. I just don't see why older adults even let themselves get to know an 18 year old willingly to the point of a relationship.
  Maybe once you hit a certain age, maybe past 27 or something (still haven't figured out the best ages take my numbers with a pinch of salt), the gap is less of a concern. >
  
  My stepmom and dad are 14 years apart, her being the older one. I genuinely don’t see an issue with their relationship. They’ve been together for the better part of 2 decades and I’ve never seen my father happier >
  
  Agree, age doesn't equal maturity.
  Also every person ages differently.
  In the end it's important to not reject good person only because of minor flaw. Personality is the most important, if adults love and understand each other, age doesn't matter. >
  
  Im sure the 60 yearold's kids will love to call someone 2 years younger than them mom. >
  
  What? 60 yo kids? At this age they probably don't even have living parents.
  As long as people are adults they can date whomever they want. >
  
  Do you know what an 's means? 60 year old kids is different than 60 year old's kids. >
  
  This is my second language, and no I am not sure which is which. >
  
  Honestly as long as it’s consenting adults I never give two shits. >
  
  I’m 30 hubs is 50. Met when I was 23. I have never felt like I got in with people my own age and the ones who are my age have been hyper-independent since we were teenagers, working, living alone, taking care of themselves due to circumstance. Not every young person is immature and naive and not every older person is a predator. These things happen of course and that’s for all demographics of relationships. I assume some folks see us and think I’m just some dumb naive girl who married an older man who wants to control me and brag to his friends which could not be further from the truth in any way, our life is regular, we love each other to infinity, we have a beautiful child. If it’s consensual, secure, loving, caring relationship amongst adults no one cares. >
  
  Ten year gap or less. >
  
  That is an unpopular opinion. >
  
  It only matters to busy bodies. >
  
  everyone on reddit has time to kill lol >
  
  It's not like there's anything inherently wrong with it, it's just... I can't imagine how or why someone would pursue a relationship with someone hugely older/younger than them and have good intentions doing so. A 50 year old isnt going for a 20 year old because they have anything in common. There's almost always something else. >
  
  There's plenty of people that are into older people.
  I'm talking adults, 18+. 
  Both men and women, they might have had a lack of leadership of some kind in their lives growing up, dunno I'm not a psychologist.
  It's only messed up if they met when the other one was a minor, then at that point it's straight up grooming. >
  
  The difference between 30 and 50 doesn’t matter. But 18 and 38, hard ew. If we put aside that these people are in majorly different life stages with a huge difference in amount of life experience, at least keep in mind the brain doesn’t finish developing until the age of 25. Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it at least some level of fucked up. In my opinion it’s absolutely predatory for someone in their 30s to date someone that young. >
  
  When I first came out - just about scraping 18 ...looked 15 still do 4 years later . I used to get DMS from 50+yr old men looking for sex and nudes ... They got very aggressive when I denied sooo I took a few screenshots and outed them to their kids.
  There's a lot of pedophiles just waiting for people to be "legal" so they can manipulate them and groom them without being called out for what they are >
  
  
  Assuming that the older person in this dynamic is a creep or is going to be controlling or toxic, etc.
  
  The thing is that this is unfortunately the case very very often. >
  
  I knew a girl from school who was very vaunerable, she went on to date her dads best friend when she was 16 (legal age of consent) and he was in his late 40s maybe late 50s he looked OLD, nothing could be done, even though it was obvious he had access to her through her dad and groomed her.
  I had another friend who started dating a man when she was 17 and he must of been in his mid 30s, they are still together now and she is about 28 now, he was shy and clung to her in social situations.
  In a lot of cases it's predatory and souly sexual based but with some it's due to the person being so socially and most likely sexually stunted, that they can't date in their own age range due to embarrassment, neither are ok, young girls should not be seen as ego stroking objects of attraction to men these ages.
  And to flip the scripted, older women with young men are just as bad but it is even more acceptable because the man/boy should be "lucky" to bag a cougar.
  This is also not a heterosexual issue, a girl from my school went on to date a woman the same age as her absent/abusive mother and was practically her twin in looks, that woman groomed her and knew exactly what she was doing all the while my school peer was under the impression she was finally being loved by an older woman mother figure, and young men perusing older men to fill the void that their dead beat, homophobic fathers couldn't fill.
  Everyone wants to be loved, and that's when predators and groomers strike on a young vaunerable person.
  So yes, from the age gap relationships I witnessed in my youth, I do judge age gap relationships, because even a 40 year old shouldn't be showing interest in a 20 year old, it's not that the young person is so mature for their age, it's because the old bastard needs their ego stroked and in many situations, control.
  For the record I don't judge say, 10 year age gap if the younger person was 25 or older when they started dating, 25 to 35 seems ok to me yet 24 to 34 still feels like a power move. >
  
  Adult age discrimination - the last acceptable prejudice >
  
  Yeah but 30&45 is not the same as 18&33 >
  
  I agree with you, but people are judgemental \^$\^$@&$&\^*\^(*_)*(_)!$#
  ​
  Hmm, maybe that can go on the unpopular opinions sub once xD >
  
  Until your teenage years, you should be able to date anyone with an age gap of around 4 years maximum. There's cases where 17 year olds date 18 year olds and it's considered wrong for some reason when it's obviously just a one year gap. After turning 20, the age gap can be of 10-20 years since you're a more mature person now. >
  
  Reasonable. >
  
  There are 9 years between my wife and I. It has never impacted our relationship. >
  
  I'm still a big believer in the "half your age + 7" rule, so the gap grows at a 2 to 1 ratio. I'm 39, so that works out to about 26.  If someone seriously thinks 26 year olds aren't capable of making their own decisions; I think they might have a habit of blaming other people for their problems. >
  
  The Only people that seem to have a problem with age gaps in relationships are mostly women that lost the pretty privilege from their youthful & prime days who finally see the reality of their own actions because they themselves have dated up from men their own age growing up. 
  Whether it be for finance or attraction to older partners because of the ole "I matured faster than the men my age so I think I'll go for older men since They're more mature at that age".
  Age gape relationships haters are just miserable >
  
  NAH if you're like 40+ hitting on 18 year old IDC you're still a pedo. you're just playing the cards as legally as possible. 
  25+ you can start to take all the dating age rules away maybe. that gives the TEENAGERS time to figure themselves out before handsy uncle Steve (or aunt Susan) starts trying to build a perfect partner out of them. >
  
  I wouldn’t even really consider teens adults tbh 
  I do think actually being an adult is around the mid 20s 
  At least 21 >
  
  If the age gap is above 6 years it's an issue IMO. At that point I don't understand, because they aren't going to have anything in common since they were born far apart and probably grew up with different things, have diff experiences, ideas etc. >
  
  Viserys walking with Laena was awkward enough.
  Admittedly, I went out with a coworker 13 years younger than me and there is an intellectual void with age. Maybe when both people older it doesn’t matter but if one person is still growing up then age can be a huge factor. >
  
  So what does this have to do with you? >
  
  Because even tho 18 makes you legal it doesn’t make you immune to getting manipulated more easily because of your young age.  18 is a convenient place holder but just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s ethical >
  
  FBI - he's here. >
  
  I mean I understand how, to me, it seems like a lot of times they are kind of odd or for the wrong reasons. But there are circumstances where it can work out and just be 2 people genuinely good for each other. >
  
  Age doesn't matter! It's all about the feeeeeeeeeet! >
  
  Is it a taboo though? It is whatever people choose for themselves as long as both are happy and legally consenting adults like you said. Judgment? Maybe yes. Taboo? Not so sure. I personally am not attracted by people much younger or much older than me, but if someone is who cares. I can judge them all I want. I can’t tell them what to do/not to do though. But everybody judges everybody one way or another anyways. >
  
  Dated a man 12 y older than me. True true true! >
  
  Can’t always judge solely on age. I was 35 when I started dating my wife who was 24 (25 in a couple months). We met picking our kindergartners up from school who were in the same class. There was an age gap, but we were in a very similar place in life, raising children the same age. We had both gone through the end of the relationship with our children’s’ other parent. She was a teen mom and had to grow up more quickly than most. An age gap doesn’t always determine how much people have in common. >
  
  "Show us on the doll where this post touched you" >
  
  My husband and I are 23 years apart.  I was in my 20's when we got married.  My dad is only 10 years older than my husband.  They're now friends, though dad admitted it was weird at first.  At the start of the school year, when our kids went to an actual school building (we homeschool now) it was not unusual for staff to approach me and say something like, "Tell me again which is the father and which is the grandfather?"  Hubby gets a kick out of people thinking he's the kids' grandfather.  And he calls me mom, so of course I have to call him dad... which feels super weird if we're in an adult store... >
  
  11 year gap over here. I couldn't be happier. Love him to bits. I guess it's just the connection but the age and his experience makes him more patient. I am growing as a person because of him. >
  
  It's more the stage of a person life than the physical age. College range (18-24) year olds are young, most of them facing the world for the first time.  Not all but some people who are older take advantage of their inexperience youth partner as a way to manipulate them to their benefit.  
  As long the two individuals are over the legal age and love each-other without taking advantage of each other then it's no problem for them to date. >
  
  It depends. I think its mostly no ones business. You can secretly roll your eyes but consistently telling someone "THIS IS GROSS YOURE BEING ABUSED YOU SHOULD BE UPSET ABOUT THIS" is terrible. 
  But honestly its definitely bizarre up until...hmm...may seem arbitrary but ill say 23? Eventually you have to cut the chord and accept/let people make their own choices. If the 23 year old legit enjoys and loves a 40yo...whatever, who am I to say anything. But right out of high school vs adult...yeah that's kinda weird. >
  
  Yes and no. A 30 year old dating a 50 year old isn’t crazy. But if your 40 with an 18 year old. I don’t know about that >
  
  For me age gap for more than 10 years is weird and I WILL mostly judge you. But I dont give enough fuck for that, honestly >
  
  If you’re dating a teenager That’s Too Young. >
  
  I personally wouldn’t date a much younger woman but I don’t automatically have negative feelings towards those that do. Obviously if there are minors involved than it’s a different story. But if it’s 2 consenting adults, where there was no grooming or a power dynamic involved, I have no problem with others decisions >
  
  Take the upvote. 
  Provided the younger party is at least 20yo you get 10 either side is the absolute limit so the window is to 30 or it’s weird and creepy… sorry dude it just is. 
  How young is the girl you’re ~~grooming~~ dating anyhow? >
  
  If you're a 40 year old dating a 20 year old, I'm not gonna act like you're a rapist but I will make fun of you. People are too black & white about it, either it's some sort of groomy type of thing with the power differentials yada yada yada or it's fine. In reality there's a big gray area largely consisting of it not being some 'taking advantage of a weaker party' thing but still indicative of pretty low maturity of the older party. >
  
  Name the age you consider someone to be 'adult'.  The world can't agree. >
  
  I think people from 18-21 and 22-25 should date in those respective ranges, because in that range you are just inexperienced in life still, financially, emotionally, etc so it's easy for you to get taken advantage of by someone much older than you. but i don't really bat an eye after one is 25 sure i might think it's weird or whatever but by then you should've had enough life experience to make good choices in so far as judging someones character and if they are right for you. >
  
  Personally I think over the age of 25 for both parties then age gaps don’t matter.. by this point you have probably finished school and started a career and your mind is fully developed. >
  
  I just don’t see how someone in their 50’s should be talking to someone in their 20’s. 
  It just doesn’t make sense. >
  
  despite the fact that im 18 (legally adult), i would feel extremely uncomfortable if anyone more than 3 or 4 years older than me showed romantic/sexual interest, regardless of character, appearance, or behavior. likewise, if i was older, i would feel the same about anyone significantly younger than me >
  
  I agree to an extent, but if someone is barely an adult dating someone much older than them I find it really off putting. An 18 year old dating a 40 year old can’t possibly a healthy relationship dynamic >
  
  I think it’s more about the stages in life you’re in. 18 and 40 is really weird despite them both being adults. Anyone can attest you’re much more mature after college than when you were a college freshman for instanxe >
  
  I would agree that a 40 year old dating a 60 year old should be a big deal but a 19 year old and a 39 year old meeting and dating makes me feel like something is wrong. The power dynamic is going to be much different if one is barely an adult vs. 2 people who have both been adults for a long while. >
  
  A 45 year old living in their parent’s basement says a lot more about their character than a 20 year old doing the same thing. >
  
  this isn’t “unpopular” it’s just idiotic. >
  
  26 y/o (M) here dating a 53 y/o (M) and can agree to this. Every relationship is defined by how a couple wants to define it. Don’t let anyone else tell you differently >
  
  My sisters partner is 11 years older then her, which is fine, but he hits on me. He is 19 years older then me and closer to my fathers age, it’s gross. (He’s gross anyway.). 
  My friend is 23, her father is dating a 24 year old. It gives us the ick because she’s the same age as us. >
  
  Scrolled for a while but haven't seen it posted, but I always thought the general rule was half your age plus 7. So if you're 22, you can date 18. If you're 40, 27 is ok. It's a decent calculation that obviously increases in acceptability as both parties age. >
  
  “Character should be the focus” 
  It is. There’s plenty to focus on within the character of a 45 years old who’s attracted to a teenager with a curfew. >
  
  Why do these always read as “I’m an old guy who wants to screw a young girl and I don’t like you calling me a creep”? >
  
  a 10 year age gap from a 19-29 year old is sketchy. i’m 23. it’s less weird the older you get, for example, 30-40 or 40-50. 
  dating an “adult” in its bare essentials when one already has life experience, lessons and overall a physiologically different brain is still sketch AF. i get it’s legal, but why would one (specifically for a relationship not centered around a looks/money dynamic) search for a relationship with someone who they can easily manipulate financially/emotionally? hell, being my age i still wouldn’t date a 19 year old: it’s 2 entirely different worlds. i don’t know if it’ll be like that forever, but life changes a lot- your outlook on life, goals, and experience levels change significantly, especially in your 20s. 
  i’ve also heard a lot from my colleagues, peers, and elders that once you hit 30 you become an entirely different person. it’s just how it is for some reason. >
  
  It's not, only redditors care about it. >
  
  It's not as much as the age gap, but the difference in the stage of life the two people are at, that is considered weird. >
  
  I think if the younger one does the persuing then it's different to if the older one does. >
  
  It still depends, the legal age of consent in the uk is 16, in Italy it's 14 and in japan 13, if young people of these ages do chose to persue a 20 or 30 year old I do think morally if not legally the adult should not encourage the advances. >
  
  OP said between adults 
  Age of consent and age of adults is 2 different things >
  
  18 is classed as an adult, and if they persue someone who is 40 it's still not ok for the 40 year old to be onboard with it, they have no good reason to be interested, flattered maybe. >
  
  Why?
  I wouldn't be. But there are plenty of 40 year Olds that still behave much younger.
  As long as it's consenting, non abusive and not a result of grooming why does it matter >
  
  The fact you think it's ok and even healthy for a 40 year old to be with an 18 year old is skin crawling, gender and sexuality are irrelevant, no well established 40 year old would even look twice at an 18 year old as a romantic partner, it's usually a mid life crisis or power move/ego boost. >
  
  But other than your own bias, why?
  What valid reason is there other than "I don't like the idea of it"
  Who are you to tell people what they find attractive in another person?
  Like I said, I wouldn't do it. I would feel weird. And I do think it's a bit odd. But I'm not going to judge a couple solely on their age gap. >
  
  Nah fam. 8 years max over 35. >
  
  Eh, When I see people 25+ hitting on 18 year olds, I'm creeped the fu** out. I used to think it wasnt a big deal until I got that age. That gap in maturity is insane between those two periods.
  30 to 40, no biggie, 40 60, who cares. 18 and 25.... ehhh >
  
  i'm 25 and i do not feel any different from when i was 18 >
  
  Anything more than 8 or 9 years apart is going to be dumb. With any gap bigger than that, while you might find each other attractive, you just won’t have the same experiences in your past and it makes conversation feel shallow. >
  
  Really depends to me… but 18 year old and a 30+ year old. Nope. I’m a 34M and the lowest I’ll go is a 25F. Personally anything younger then that would be gross and superficial. I’m at an age where I want a partner not a fuck buddy with nothing in common. But if a 25 year old dates a 50 year old it’s none of my business by that point both should be mature and mentally developed enough (or at least given enough time to mature some people stay immature well into their 50s) to make their own decisions on such matters. I personally find it odd and wouldn’t do it but I’m not the supreme leader of morals. >
  
  Nah pretty much every old man wants a very young lady on their arm exclusively for creepy gross reasons. You should want your actual peer. Not someone just because they are young and sexy. It’s disgusting >
  
  My dad is married to somebody that’s VERY close to my age. For reference I’m 24 and he is in his mid 50’s. They have a 2 year old. Fucking disgusting. I will never agree to this. When I have kids, I will warn them about people like my father. That shit is straight up WEIRDO behavior.