Maturity doesn't necessarily have to directly relate to age, so people just don't have to match age-wise in order to make for a good pairing. Of course there's always the risk of the older partner putting too much pressure on the younger one, but then again isn't it the same with people who are the same age?

My parents are actually 10 years apart, and it always worked perfectly well for them.

Originally Posted by Vestidity

Ten years is a ridiculous age difference, in my opinion. :/
How can someone ten years older than you have anything in common with you unless they're completely immature?

That's a bit of a closed minded attitude if you don't mind me saying so. I spent four years with someone who was 9 years younger than me, we started dating when I was 27 and he was 18, does this make me immature? You shouldn't be so judgemental.

Originally Posted by cashuea

As long you both are adults then go for it =3 I don't know why younger girls go for older guys and vice versa, can't the creepy old men go for someone their own age? Would let the young guys like me finally find someone!

Often times, young women go for older men because the guys their age don't ACT their age. Often times, girls mature earlier than guys. Again, often times, a 15 year old girl and a 15 year old guy just aren't really on the same level. I stress "often times" because as we all know, that's not true in every case. Also, the older guys tend to have much cooler stuff, from cars as a young man to houses with older men. It sucks I know, but it is what it is. I must say, it's very hard for young men. A lot of people don't realize just how hard it can be. I'll stick with being a woman any day.

Originally Posted by Vestidity

Ten years is a ridiculous age difference, in my opinion. :/
How can someone ten years older than you have anything in common with you unless they're completely immature?

I realize it's your opinion, but I feel you're wrong. Me and my hubby had a ten and a half year age difference. I met him when I was 19 and he had just turned 30. Of course, I was active duty army at my first duty station, so I'd have to say I was certainly mature enough to handle it. As for him, he was always young in spirit, as well as looks. He was active army as well, played all kinds of sports and music in bands. Up until about 5 months before he died, he always looked good, was physically active, and had a lust for life. That's not to say he was immature, just very young in spirit and active.

As for my opinion on age differences at younger ages, that's a bit different. Once you begin dealing with 17 and younger being with someone 20 or older, I don't tend to like the idea, and certainly an example of "someone who should be in jail" would be a 14-15 year old girl with a 21 year old or older young man. And to clarify a bit more, I used the oldest age of the younger person, and the yongest age of the older person. Jeez, I hope that somehow makes sense. In other words, a 17 year old girl with a 20 year old young man wouldn't be unthought of for me, just skirting the edges of things. <------That situation would depend on the maturity level of both of them and the individual situation.

Well my mom is dating a man who is 17 years younger then her.
they have been together for like 8 years and he is an awesome guy, and the only person I will ever call Dad. It all has to do with perception.

My mother is dating someone that is at least half her age, and he's the mature one! It's so funny but he's probably one of the smartest men on the face of this planet.

I have no problems with it, nor do I care because it's not my lifestyle they're tampering with; it's their own. Personally, I wouldn't date someone extremely older than me, but my opinion should never be forced on anyone; and I'm glad it isn't. I met my mother's current boyfriend and he's a delight to talk to. I'm always changing my views when I see good things come in awkward situations.

BUT I'd say there is a difference between being under the age that the state recognizes you as an adult, and dating someone more than seven years over that. I'd say 17-18 is your main adulthood stages.

I'm okay with age differences to a certain extent.
For instance, if you're 15 or younger and dating someone with at least a 5yrs age difference then that seems a bit wrong.
But if you're, I don't know, about 25 and dating someone with a 5-10yrs age difference then I'm OK with that.
I guess I just don't like the thought of a little kid dating someone older, or an inexperienced teen dating someone older.
People can be easily influenced, get confused, and all that crap. But if you truly believe you're in love with him and he feels the same, then go for it. Just, please, don't do anything you might regret later.

I don't really have a problem with it unless your under sixteen and there over twenty. My boyfriend and I have just under a year and a half between us, and we get along great. :D

Weirdly enough, I find it that the older you two both are [respectively] the less it matters. Not that it matters at all, but celebs marry people 40+ years in age difference, when they're 30+. But when it comes to things like a thirteen year old dating a twenty year old. People freak out! It's just natural. Thirteen is so young to date [I did too, I'm agreeing that it's took young.] But relationships before twenty seem to just, 'not matter.' They're the typical high-school ... minimal-repercussion break up situations. But when you get older, the situation becomes more serious, too.

Things like marriage come up and kids, school and careers. And for someone who's 20+ and have some of these things floating around their heads, to be dating someone who's worried about passing highschool ... it's just a mix of maturity, and to be honest. A lot of the younger side of those relationships can't deal with it correctly.

All in all. I want to believe that age is just a number; we all age the same at the same rate, and you'll never be any close to any given person in age, ever. I 'dated' someone nine years older than me. Age was barely the issues [holy god did we have problems.]

Keep in mind that the younger you are from the person ... the more problems there will be, depnding on your age as well.

It really depends on the age difference and how old the couple is. I know that whole saying "age shouldn't be an issue when it comes to love" but you gotta think realistically at times.

Like, I don't want to sound closed-minded or anything, but I will become suspicious if my 17-year-old friend started dating somebody close to their 30s.
Regardless if its legal or not, my friend is STILL in high school. Their companion is already out in the real world. I hope you see the difference - my friend and their boyfriend/girlfriend are at different mental levels as it is. The fact that a 30 something year old is dating somebody still in high school just strikes a chord of suspicion in my mind. I'm just stating my opinion.

HOWEVER I DO THINK ITS OKAY FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO BE DATING SOMEBODY WHO IS 10+ YEARS OLDER THAN THEY ARE.
It's just more acceptable - both individuals are ADULTS meaning they're OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL and are going through nearly similar mindsets when it comes to maturity.

Originally Posted by Toxic-Pop

In dating. Right now in the relationship i'm in My bf is 10 years older then I am. Some people would freak and say that's to much of an age difference, other say age is nothing but a number its the maturity of the two people and how well they get along. well, what is your point of your view on age differences in relationships, should they only be limited to a few years or do they not matter?

I can see that as being weird. Especially if one is underage. Plus my brother is ten years older than me, so for me that would just be a little weird. Plus the whole ten year thing is an entire age gap. I'd feel more comfortable being with someone who grew up doing the same things, watching the same tv or listening to the same music as I did. That's a decade of missed info, ya know?

Originally Posted by PicassoMoon

I can see that as being weird. Especially if one is underage. Plus my brother is ten years older than me, so for me that would just be a little weird. Plus the whole ten year thing is an entire age gap. I'd feel more comfortable being with someone who grew up doing the same things, watching the same tv or listening to the same music as I did. That's a decade of missed info, ya know?

I would think that for you it would actually be easier to accept if you had a brother that was so much older. You wouldn't really be that out of touch with someone older because you would have grown up "knowing" things from his "time". Did that make any sense?

I think that may be why it was a little easier for me. My husband was only a few years older than my oldest sister, so I could relate to his type of music and the things that were from his "time" as I saw and heard so much of it from my older sisters.

Originally Posted by Infinitys Echo

I would think that for you it would actually be easier to accept if you had a brother that was so much older. You wouldn't really be that out of touch with someone older because you would have grown up "knowing" things from his "time". Did that make any sense?

I think that may be why it was a little easier for me. My husband was only a few years older than my oldest sister, so I could relate to his type of music and the things that were from his "time" as I saw and heard so much of it from my older sisters.

Eh, I can see your point but since my brother is sooooo much older, he was out of the house a lot when I was growing up because of college and now he's in a completely different country for over a year and about to stay another year XD Not to mention he's a complete workaholic :o

Originally Posted by PicassoMoon

Eh, I can see your point but since my brother is sooooo much older, he was out of the house a lot when I was growing up because of college and now he's in a completely different country for over a year and about to stay another year XD Not to mention he's a complete workaholic :o

Yeah, I can see your point with that. My sisters were six and either years older than me. Just that two year difference from eight to ten could make a difference though. However, my husband was ten and a half years older. With me though, I had no problem relating to him.

It matters to me and the age gap does make a difference. There's maturity, differing interests and other factors. Therefore I would avoid such a relationship because it would not be for me. I do put age ranges in my dating ads for a solid reason.

If it does not matter to me if someone else wants such a relationship, fine with me. It's their relationship and their choice. If you are 35 yrs old and want to date 75 yr, hey...whatever "floats your boat" as they say.
I've seen them work out OK, it gets more difficult as people get older as the older spouse has more aging problems to put it bluntly.
I have noticed that it's usually a heterosexual relationship and the men is the older spouse involved.

The thing that needs to be remembered in relationships where there's a large age gap is that there is going to be a time when each person is at a different stage in their life. Take the OP for example. She's 17 and her significant other is 27. At 17, I was about to graduate high school, start college, etc. Now that I'm actually 26 (close enough to 27, I wager), I have a child, and I'm settled down. I can't even imagine trying to be with someone 10 years younger than me at this point, because they're so impulsive and want to try to conquer the world!

Of course, this is just a small example and certainly doesn't mean everyone is going to be like that. Some couples can have a large age gap and be perfectly content with each other and the stages in life that they're at.

Honestly, being young, you need to just be on your guard. i understand your situation though. most guys i date are older and ive had my fair share of "older" guys. It may be true but you always need to be careful in that kind of situation. i hope my words help

i don't think age difference is a matter, but the maturity that matters. most of the relationships with big age difference but still can live happy ever after normally date when they get older - around 20 and 30 something - cause the maturity level would be nearer. if date earlier - for example one high school student and one working adult - it'll be harder to maintain that relationship.

but if you're very sure that he's the one, just go for it! don't worry too much cause who knows how will a relationship ends, whether it'll end well or not, only after you try out right? hehe

wish you all the best :)

Well as long as your both considered adults. I don't think it's wrong. From my view a tad bit creepy. But my thoughts don't matter as long as your happy with him C: oh and as others have said make sure you don't get pressured.

Depends on how you meet the person.
If a girl is 13 and meets someone whom is close to 20 or above, you can clearly tell what their intentions are.
If its someone you met online, its an immediate no.
If its someone that has a good background, doesnt seem to only want to bang you, plus you know them in real life, sure.

You're both legally adults, you probably have a lot of things in common and like to do a lot of the same things, so I say knock yourself out. I'm 35 and would date someone 25 OR 45, depending on our compatibillity.
However; if you were underage, I would say that it would be very wrong to be dating someone 10 years older than you.

Originally Posted by x i l e n t -- tiadahlo

Weirdly enough, I find it that the older you two both are [respectively] the less it matters.

I have to agree with xilent: The older you are, the less the age difference matters.

If it's like an extreme difference in age, then yeah that'll definently be weird to me. Like on this forum that I used to go on long time ago, there was this 22 year old dating a 10 year old. YIKES! o_o

Originally Posted by Flowery Pit

If it's like an extreme difference in age, then yeah that'll definently be weird to me. Like on this forum that I used to go on long time ago, there was this 22 year old dating a 10 year old. YIKES! o_o

Whoa! Now THAT'S one I hope someone notified the authorities about!

@ Flowery Pit and Infinitys Echo: When I was eleven, there was a man about 20 or so that took an interest in me. At the time, I thought it was the greatest thing since white bread. Now, looking back, I'm utterly horrified and so thankful that things didn't go where he wanted them to; and believe me, it wasn't for lack of trying on his part. I was so young, I had no idea what he was talking about!

Originally Posted by Sinister Sassy

@ Flowery Pit and Infinitys Echo: When I was eleven, there was a man about 20 or so that took an interest in me. At the time, I thought it was the greatest thing since white bread. Now, looking back, I'm utterly horrified and so thankful that things didn't go where he wanted them to; and believe me, it wasn't for lack of trying on his part. I was so young, I had no idea what he was talking about!

Attention like that at such a young age DOES make the child feel really good. That's part of how these perverts are able to do the things they do, by taking advantage of such a young and innocent person, who really has no idea of what it's all about.

Originally Posted by Flowery Pit

Like on this forum that I used to go on long time ago, there was this 22 year old dating a 10 year old. YIKES! o_o

My friend told me something exactly like that, his friend being the 22 year old guy, suposedly married his MapleStory 10-year-old girlfriend [on the game, of course xD]. My friend hacks the little girl account, and it turns out to be a 20-something-year-old gay.

His friend didn't have a problem though... because he's gay too @[email protected]

Moral of the story: with the internet people you never know.