Relationships: Does age difference matter?

[Aiden]

If both people know whats going on and agree I don't see why not. You may say a 14 year old and 19 year old is illegal, but not in every country. It generally has nothing to do with most people and should just let it rest.

[Kardan]

If both people know whats going on and agree I don't see why not. You may say a 14 year old and 19 year old is illegal, but not in every country. It generally has nothing to do with most people and should just let it rest.

A 14 year old and a 19 year old is illegal. Just because it may not be illegal in others countries doesn't make a difference in the UK.

[Aiden]

A 14 year old and a 19 year old is illegal. Just because it may not be illegal in others countries doesn't make a difference in the UK.

I'm not that stupid, I do know that. I'm just saying that thats just one law - THERES A WHOLE WORLD OUT THERE!

[karter]

"It looks wrong but if you are happy then it's your life."

That's literally just saying that age difference matters, why don't you people just accept that you do think that age matters?? That phrase you used pretty much meant "I can't change your decisions but I'm gonna criticize them"

Here's a reminder for everyone who says "maybe a large age gap seems wrong" - This ain't your life, or your business, or an opportunity to voice your 18th century thoughts. Is there really anything that society has left to criticize when it comes to marriage - can't marry the same sex, can't marry someone that old, can't marry from this race. REALLY. You seriously have opinions on people about who should they marry? You can apply these rules on yourself and can you do everyone a favour by stapling your mouth when it's a matter of someone's personal life? Thanks!

[-:Undertaker:-]

"It looks wrong but if you are happy then it's your life."

That's literally just saying that age difference matters, why don't you people just accept that you do think that age matters?? That phrase you used pretty much meant "I can't change your decisions but I'm gonna criticize them"

Here's a reminder for everyone who says "maybe a large age gap seems wrong" - This ain't your life, or your business, or an opportunity to voice your 18th century thoughts. Is there really anything that society has left to criticize when it comes to marriage - can't marry the same sex, can't marry someone that old, can't marry from this race. REALLY. You seriously have opinions on people about who should they marry? You can apply these rules on yourself and can you do everyone a favour by stapling your mouth when it's a matter of someone's personal life? Thanks!

Why is it that this type of response is always posted whenever somebody comes across a view or a set of views they do not like? You do know that it's perfectly possible to disapprove of something or find something distasteful without actually wanting the law to get involved don't you? I may find the rockery you've built in your front garden bloody awful, or the magenta pink you've painted your front door terrible - but that doesn't mean i'm advocating the law become involved.

Where does this strange idea come from, one that seems hellbent on silencing free speech and the opinions of people that aren't deemed 'caring', that everybody has to be nice to everybody else and agree and accept everything they do? I don't agree or accept all the things everybody else does and i'm under no obligation to pretend I do.

[karter]

Why is it that this type of response is always posted whenever somebody comes across a view or a set of views they do not like? You do know that it's perfectly possible to disapprove of something or find something distasteful without actually wanting the law to get involved don't you? I may find the rockery you've built in your front garden bloody awful, or the magenta pink you've painted your front door terrible - but that doesn't mean i'm advocating the law become involved.

Where does this strange idea come from, one that seems hellbent on silencing free speech and the opinions of people that aren't deemed 'caring', that everybody has to be nice to everybody else and agree and accept everything they do? I don't agree or accept all the things everybody else does and i'm under no obligation to pretend I do.

HOWEVER there is a fine line between criticizing something and crossing someone's personal life.

If you didn't realize the 'free speech!!!!!!!!' applied to me too so I will freely criticize any opinion I find inappropriate. The only things where I've responded like this was the abortion and the racism issue anyway. I am not going to sit here and turn a blind eye to something which bothers me. What kind of a double standard is this though...you're the one with the loud opinions too as far as I can remember but suddenly you feel attacked by me trying to silence the thoughts I disapprove? So yeah no thanks, I'll not pretend to be satisfied with opinions I don't agree with and I'll speak against them until my mouth is dry

[-Moniquee.]

I don't think it matters too much personally, unless it has for to do with children. If the person is over 18 I don't see a big deal unless the age difference is quite significant 25years+. You always see all these really young girls with old millionaires and I think that is wrong because most likely they want money. But at the end of the day if the two people are happy then so be it.

I personally wouldn't go for anyone 5 years or older than me.

[GommeInc]

Assuming everyone involved is legally consenting I seriously don't see what the issue is. People mature mentally at different ages, people across one demographic don't all have the same desires and interests, and essentially anyone who finds someone that they want to be with I salute and wish the best of luck with

This. Debate over.

It's perfectly legal if the two adults are consenting, and any judgements made outside of the two consenting individuals are meaningless and trivial. The only people who care are those who care too much about salacious gossip because their own sex lives or lives in general are incredibly boring and worthless.

[despect]

Personally i'd say no unless its more than 7 years or so. I just wouldn't feel comfortable being in a relationship with someone who is a lot older than me. It's just scary. I mean if someone my age dated a person who isn't even legal i would be a bit freaked out haha but that could be just me. Each to their own i guess.

[Charz777]

I'd say it's an issue. I assume we are talking legal situations here and not 13 year olds...?

But really, just because a person is 16 and legal (in the case of the UK) that doesn't make it okay to be in a relationship with a 40 year old. I'd have thought the 40 year old would know better for starters.

And I guess you could say that if they are both concenting adults it's fine. But I'd be suspicious if a 20-something year old was going out with someone twice their age or older. There could be many reasons; the obvious stereotypes like golddigging, cradle-robbing etc. But is it really in their best interests? What if they have kids and the older parent isn't alive to watch them grow up. Also, is the younger partner prepared to become widowed when their older partner dies while they themselves are young, and to care for that older partner through the sicknesses or what not associated with old age? Will the younger partner want to do things in their life that the older partner did 20/30 years ago and now has no interest in?