Acceptible Age Differences?

Rich · #1 10-30-2002, 01:37 PM

This isnt really a philosophical (sp?) debate, but it doesnt really fit in COT either.

Me and a friend were talking a few nights ago about what the acceptible difference in age between 2 ppl for dating should be. And it seems to vary. For instance, my friend who just turned 21, is dating a girl who just turned 18. This is the max distance that I would condone, on the other hand, my own parents are 4 yrs apart, [My mom is actually older than my dad] and that seemed to work out fine.

Its also rare to find a relationship where the female is older than the male. Even finding a relationship where both members are the same age is rare.

Anyone care to comment?

higgimonster · #2 10-30-2002, 01:47 PM

Here are my general rules:

if you are over 18 and 21 or less then only 18 or older
if you are 18 then 17 is the lowest acceptable.
if you are over 21 and less then 25 then 20 is youngest
after 25, 21 is youngest (and that sticks until death)
It seems that once people get into the work place they begin to meet people who are exactly their age, where in school you tewnd to be with people your age.
And women tend to find older men more attractive. (Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford)

YogsVR4 · #3 10-30-2002, 02:23 PM

Its all a matter of ratios.

Three year gap.
Age %
18 17
21 14
30 10
40 7

Normally you dont want to get to far away (as a percentage) from the person you're with. You're more likely to have more in common with someone who is closer to your age as a percentage then in whole numbers. So the gap of actual years widens as you get older for the same percentage.

taranaki · #4 10-30-2002, 04:49 PM

Any age difference can be overcome,provided that both parties are sympathetic to the differencesin lifestyle that may occur...Age differences between younger people can present sever obstacles in the way of lifestyle differences,life experience,maturity,and social gatherings....simple example...in New Zealand,if you are 18 and she is 16,you'd have to accept that you wouldn't be able to take her to a bar with you.Differences in education status also matter a lot...high school students datingfull-time employees can be a major source of friction.....it's surprising how quickly situations change as you pass through young adulthood.

Of course,when you reach my age,five or six years' difference is still a big gap,but there are not so many of life's experiences that you don't have in common.Statiscally of course,women tend to outlive men,so to make the most of a permanent relationship,I suppose that women should choose a younger partner...too bad that most 'older' me hit the mid life crisis.....

Oz · #5 10-31-2002, 01:54 AM

<20 2 years - 3 if exceptional circumstances
>20 3-5 years is acceptable.

For these rules, both people concerned must be in same category.

tazdev · #6 10-31-2002, 02:28 AM

I disagree with the majority of you.

If the two people involved care for each other then why should there be an "acceptable" age limit (as long as they are both "of age" that is)

Ssom · #7 10-31-2002, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tazdev
I disagree with the majority of you.

If the two people involved care for each other then why should there be an "acceptable" age limit (as long as they are both "of age" that is)

agreed

YogsVR4 · #8 10-31-2002, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tazdev
I disagree with the majority of you.

If the two people involved care for each other then why should there be an "acceptable" age limit (as long as they are both "of age" that is)

I stated why I feel I need an acceptable age limit. For someone else, they can do what they want. I wont stop them, however I can laugh at the shit like Anna Nichole Smith.

speediva · #9 10-31-2002, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tazdev
I disagree with the majority of you.

If the two people involved care for each other then why should there be an "acceptable" age limit (as long as they are both "of age" that is)

I'm with Taz. If two responsible adults care for eachother, then who cares about age??? Sure, it may be an abnormal ideal, but what is normal anyway??? Heck, just 100 years ago I'd be barefoot and pregnant with my 5th kid by now. :o

slikk · #10 10-31-2002, 02:24 PM

all u got to do is plug your age into the acceptable age formula...

Acceptable age = (myage/2)+7

YogsVR4 · #11 10-31-2002, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by saturntangerine

I'm with Taz. If two responsible adults care for eachother, then who cares about age??? Sure, it may be an abnormal ideal, but what is normal anyway??? Heck, just 100 years ago I'd be barefoot and pregnant with my 5th kid by now. :o

You're the third person to say who cares. I care. I dont want to date (forget that I'm married now) someone who is ten years younger then me for some reasons I listed before.

Nobody is saying you cant if you want.

JD@af · #12 10-31-2002, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by slikk
all u got to do is plug your age into the acceptable age formula...

Acceptable age = (myage/2)+7

I generally agree with slikk. I like this equation, and find it to serve as a good rule of thumb. However, there are relationships that defy this "rule," and function healthily. The bottom line is that two committed people who care about each other will make a relationship work, period

Jimster · #13 11-01-2002, 02:16 AM

I'm 26 my wife celebrated her 22nd birthday on Tuesday- Many people at work made dimwit comments like aw bro your a palya

Not the case I met the woman that is right for me and at teh end of the day age is just a number

SentraGirl · #14 11-04-2002, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tazdev
I disagree with the majority of you.

If the two people involved care for each other then why should there be an "acceptable" age limit (as long as they are both "of age" that is)

Well said Taz, I totally agree with you. I use to believe that the guy always had to be older than the girl and that you shouldn't be more than 5 years apart but not anymore. I'm going out with a guy that's two years younger than I am and at my age, that's a lot. I'm 19 and he's 17. Of course, he lied to me about his age so I thought he was older but when I found out his real age, I was already madly in love and the only thing that mattered was he lied but that's a whole other post:finger: Anyways, love is love and it shouldn't have any boundaries.

speediva · #15 11-04-2002, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SentraGirl

I'm 19 and he's 17. <snip> Anyways, love is love and it shouldn't have any boundaries.

Glad to see I'm not the only girl who has dated a younger guy. Granted, he lied to me also, which actually put me as slightly... well... nevermind that. But anyhoo, I was 18 and he turned 16 while we were dating. It worked for a short while, but like you said... another post.

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