It's definitely more of a combination of disgust and secondhand embarrassment. When I was 18, my mid-30s manager was clearly into me and I definitely thought he was creepy and old and everyone made fun of him behind his back. Now that I'm on the other side, it doesn't look any less pathetic. 18 year olds look like children because I'm old enough to be their parent, and the only thing I've ever felt for one is vaguely maternal affection. The idea of dating them is super gross.
I have always found this argument to be hilarious in a deeply sexist way.
Why? Because it takes two to tango.
If young women really did find older men repulsive and creepy, why do so many of them date older men? Why do a fair number of them marry older men, especially in this era of unprecedented economic opportunities for women?
The fact is, such attitudes against a very historically normal pairing is shaming two people who are functional adults for their very adult choices and decisions.
Or do you somehow disagree that an 18-yo woman isn’t a “functional adult”? Because I see that attitude of infantilizing and bubble-wrapping women against the consequences of their own choices and decisions as deeply sexist, and a prime example of misogyny.
Meanwhile, men of that exact same age can be forcibly conscripted to fight and die in some foreign oil-war that they never had an opportunity to vote against. How are we adult enough at that age to die without any choice in the matter, but women aren’t adult enough to choose whom to be with?
Gotta love that gender bigotry.
There’s enough illegal shit for me to be disgusted with, I don’t have time to be bothered by any relationship between two consenting adults regardless of how little sense that relationship might make to me.
When I was in my late 20s, I went to a local con with an 18-19 year old coworker and her friend about the same age. Nothing funky, just hey if you're going we're going come roll with us.
Love them to death but jeez Louise I could never date one of them. They weren't even particularly immature or anything but theres nothing to relate on or talk about etc etc.
I keep getting older, but they all stay the same age.
Just gonna drop this…
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005789405800395
(It's also on https://sci-hub.se if anyone needs it entirely)
Attractive, Intelligent, Sane
At 18 you can pick 3 but always focus on one. You're looking for "true love", but your crotch isn't.
At 25 you can pick 2, but you still don't know which one is most important. You're looking for "Mr/Miss/Ms Right", but are starting to feel like you're Mr/Miss/Ms Leftover" because a lot of people pair up before you.
At 30+ you can pick one, but you're mostly looking for someone who matches you "child-free" status. You've realised a relationship is something you make, not something you find. This is the age to be wary of "gold diggers" looking for a bankroll.
When you're 35+ it turns from a structured partner hunt into "fuck it, we ride". At this point, you just want to enjoy life, because there isn't much free time!
I think I have a theory, they're assuming other people are just as incapable of empathy or sympathy as they are, therefore the only reason in their mind that anyone would have an issue with it is jealousy.
Add into that the insecure need to make other people feel bad, and they think by loudly proclaiming it for all to hear, assuming that you will feel bad upon hearing their opinion.
So long story short: they're a piece of shit and their opinions should be ignored by all.
ITT: older dudes pretending they’re Leo DiCaprio. You’re nooooottt. If you think I am wrong, please hit a college party this weekend.
People of dating age can do whatever they want! But let’s please not pretend that what applies to above average men applies to all men. Or what applies to above average women applies to all women!
From what I can tell, doesn’t matter your age. Any gender can be attractive at an older age, look at JLo or Sofia what’s her name. Depends on your level of attractiveness, above average attractive people have a timeless quality, goes for both men and women.
Half your age plus seven, wasn’t it? Assuming both partners are over the age of consent.
This image is trying to invent a problem that isn't there. I'm totally down to date someone my age who isn't mentally ill. That's literally my only requirement.
Unfortunately this seems to disqualify a significant percentage of the dating population.
The dudes in this thread really managed to remind me how gross it felt when men double my age tried to view me as a sexual object before sexual maturity. At 18, a 22 year old was an old man to me. A 35 year old was older than my fucking father. I didn’t even mature early or wear actual bras until I was legal, but that never stopped the discomfort. Ew guys, do better. You’re not fucking Leo, Leo is fucking creepy too.
