age range for dating

[Ringfinger]

Honestly, to me, I don't mind even an 18 year old and a 50 year old. If that makes them happy, then I'm all for it.

In general, though, I would say anything past a five year difference is considered a large gap from 18-30. As people get older, though, larger gaps don't seem to matter as much.

 

[CHUCK905]

This brought to mind an incident from a few years ago. A guy and I were in bed for the first time and in after the deed was done he made some playful wise crack and I hit him with a pillow and said, "shut up, I'm old enough to be your fath ... " I stopped mid-sentence as we both realized that what I was about to say was both biologically and socially true. 37 - 20 = 17 no matter how you slice it. We went on to have a tumultuous but pretty hot one-year stand that was approved of by most of both or our groups of friends. And the ones who didn't, fuck'em.

Oh in the arithmetic above he was 20, not 17, that was the age diff.

Honestly, to me, I don't mind even an 18 year old and a 50 year old. If that makes them happy, then I'm all for it.

In general, though, I would say anything past a five year difference is considered a large gap from 18-30. As people get older, though, larger gaps don't seem to matter as much.

 

[slickery]

I used to not stray from a 4 year standard deviation. Then I met someone 6 years older then me and it changed my opinion.

Now no more then 2 years younger and no more then 8 years older. Just as far as longer term goes as I feel age gaps will show maturity differences. But that's just my personal preference.

 

[Mnestor]

18 to 50 for me.

 

[treanir]

I'll just say: as long as it's legal, anything goes.

This comes from a guy whose age range is stretching upwards, from 27, to 32, to 38 to a possible 42.
I'm moving up in the world.

Anyway, I have raised an eyebrow at a 20-62 relationship, but a raised eyebrow was all there was. Hey, they liked it, so who am I to complain? Like I said: if it's legal, it's fine.

 

[Lube]

All my relationships were with women & men who were 2-4 years younger than me (although I've had sex with everyone from 20 years younger to 20 years older).

As I get older and have more experience, age seems to matter less and less. I seem to attract--and be attracted to--guys who are 10-15 years younger or 10-15 years older, although I find some guys around my age interesting, too. Surprisingly, right now I'm dating a guy 15 years older than me.

Raised eyebrows just don't bother me anymore. It's all about the personality.

Even if a 27 year old dates a 25 year old, some people will find cause to raise an eyebrow. It just doesn't matter.

 

[Fucker29]

I'm not sure if I'd date a 18yo guy quite frankly...it's not a deal breaker but it would depend on the guy (his level of maturity, etc, etc).
I won't date anyone past like 42yo. I'm sorry but I won't. It starts getting too close to my dad's age and that's just disturbing to me...no no NO!

If other people feel fine with it, that's cool...to each it's own but for me, personally, this is how it is.

 

[cityboi]

I've been dating guys half my age. Some of them look less fit than me because of their habits. Looks are all due to dietary, medical and heriditary factors.

 

[Fucker29]

As long as the person is of legal age, it shouldn't matter what age range they are. Insisting that someone should only date within a specific age range is, to me, no different than saying blacks should only date blacks, whites should only date whites, men should only date women.

It amazes me how narrow some attitudes can be towards dating. As long as it's two consenting adults, who gives a fuck?

I agree with this. If both people are happy and feel good with each other it shouldn't be an issue at all. For me personally, I really don't think I could date someone of 50yo for the reason I mentioned but I'm not gonna force that down other people's throats...maybe it's an issue I have, who cares? We're all different...and that difference is a result from all sorts of things, wich is why we, human beings, can be awesome!


Now, Marley, shut up and let's go to the bedroom! I didn't pay that hotel room for nothing!
I hope you don't mind if I'm the same age as you...

 

[youngnihilist]

I'm 22 and I'm attracted to guys 18-35 generally. Meaning I'd have sex with guys from that range. I However, for dating I'd prefer 20-24. I don't have much in common with an 18 year old or a 30 year old. We're just at different stages in life.

At 27 if you're in school you may be graduate work/post grad or early career - do you have much in common wtih an 18 year old Freshmen or a 60 year old retiree? Maybe but not likely.

 

[Lube]

At 27 if you're in school you may be graduate work/post grad or early career - do you have much in common wtih an 18 year old freshmen or a 60 year old retiree? Maybe but not likely.

If you're 27 and you like to drink & party all night, whitewater kayak, and bungee jump, then, no, you probably don't have a lot in common with an 18 year old who can't drink or a 60 year old who isn't athletic.

But if you're a 27 year old in graduate school and you're with a 60 year old professor retiree and you both like languages, travel, art, picnics, flatwater kayaking, museums, movies, and working out at the gym... then, shit, yeah, you do have a lot in common.

Think outside your box.

 

[Eagle653]

The more I've been out and about, the more variation I've seen in age-ranges among couples. I know a 32 year old in a relationship with a 74 year old. I know a 23 year old in a relationship with a 72 year old.

I don't really take notice of age ranges unless they cross generations (like the 2 above). In neither case are they "gold digging," although I have doubts about one of them. The other is purely an attraction by the younger guy toward older guys, and vice versa.

If it works for them, that's great. Personally, I would have trouble dating, and having a serious relationship with, someone outside of my own generation. But, that's just me.

 

[youngnihilist]

Lube - Not a matter of thinking outside the box. Thinking outside the box is living on your own terms. for most people, their own terms are dating their own age range.

23 and 72 is unhealthy, in my opinion, because the 72 year old is in his last years, or at least last functioning years (yes I know there are 90 year olds who play tennis and run and have sex but it's rare)

 

[igamenir]

i've hear long time ago some nice formula age / 2 + 7 = limit and thinking of it, it sound reasonable

So for 27 from first post, it would be 21to 40.
For me in my 23 years, it's 19 to 28 and i thinking it's the best

But my bf is actually 42yo and from the beginning i've been thinking the age doesn't matter, when there is love. But the age difference make it just much more complicated to find likeness in hobbies and opinions and so (as you could know from my other posts).

 

[NineOfClubs]

As long as the person is of legal age, it shouldn't matter what age range they are. Insisting that someone should only date within a specific age range is, to me, no different than saying blacks should only date blacks, whites should only date whites, men should only date women.

It amazes me how narrow some attitudes can be towards dating. As long as it's two consenting adults, who gives a fuck?

Ditto, and ditto.

Age is just a number. And if you're meant to be together, for however long, at whatever age, don't fight it.....

 

[igamenir]

Reasonable? Since when are limitations reasonable? Personally I think that if you go around writing people off as incompatible because of their age, you have no right to complain if you're dateless on Friday night.

I agree, reasonable wasn't maybe the right word, i meant "not so bad not to think about them".

This is what I don't get, what's the difference between 18 and 19 that 18 isn't compatible but 19 is? ...

... or are we working on the premise that all 18 year olds are immature and impulsive and all guys over 40 sit at home watching Matlock?

Not sure how is it in your country, but in my country, 18yo finishing high school and choosing university, college or job... and that makes them think very differently. And guys over 30 remembers communism era and have different experiences and opinions coz of that.... But of course, i agree with you that it's not possible to have a strict age limit. As above, it's just something to think about - that 18 is close but 15 is too low. And 30 is close to 28 abut 40 is "father's age". But maybe it's only my bad experience.

 

[asian87]

It doesn't matter as long as they are both happy.

 

[Lube]

Thinking outside the box is living on your own terms. For most people, their own terms are dating their own age range.

You nailed it with the first sentence, and then totally contradicted yourself with the second. It's not their own terms--it's societal norms. Just as societal norms tells us that being gay is bad.

 

[MaxMouse]

I don't like anyone younger, and I don't like to cap an age range for myself. But I did date a 31 year old (I'm 23) and found it hard because I am still in graduate school, and he was obviously looking for someone to settle down with and I didn't even have the time for that junk right now ...so I would say I am avoiding anything over 26 and under 22 right now

 

[chance1]

hmm

i think if u meet someone and like them - and they're legal - u just never know

as long as there is physical attraction ............

some very young guys r very mature - "old souls" - and don't find trouble conversing with someone significantly older than them - there is no issue with "what r we gonna talk about"

some older guys r very youthful and r not intimidated by youth - like new things - like to be spontaneous, etc

i would say those guys (the above 2 examples) are probably the exception not the rule

so while 20 and 40 may seem crazy together - not necessarily the case

so i think the +/- age thing is kinda lame