Acceptable age gaps

[redrosesofhope]

Wrong if you make someone angry or their parents don't approve they can still get you for statutory rape. Weither or not there is any physical contact. Believe me I had a friend get into big time trouble over this and nothing ever happened. He was 18 and she was 16 they took him to court and everything. Believe me it does matter.

It's still not illegal. Statutory rape and dating are two separate things.

 

[tayshodd]

22 and 16? sounds like an accidental "i tripped and she fell" statuatory rape situation if ive ever heard it, though most of my girl friends have had their share of older relationships (of 8 years+ even!)

 

[tigercub]

I know I'm not 'courting' anymore and really shouldn't post here, I just wanted to add a little perspective on how these things can end up.

There is a 10 year age gap between my husband and I. We will have been married 2 years next March.

Personally I believe women mature faster than men, myself in particular due to my upbringing etc. Thus I met someone of a similar emotional and maturity age to myself when I was 16, married when I was 18 and we're now TTC

I guess my view on age gaps should be pretty obvious then...

 

[Kitangel]

well.....i'm 16 - and dating a 24 year old. being christian - and its illegal - we dont do anything sexually.....but in a couple of months i'll be 17. Old enough to do anything i pleased except marry him. and thats the one thing i want to do. of course, 16 probably wouldnt be the right age for most - youth gone, rollercoaster feelings....etc...but i left school at 15. I'm not unused to radical decisions, and if you KNOW thats what you both want....if you know that you WANt to court her....then go for it! just beware of the law. and make sure she knows her feelings. but if you do go down that path (as me and my bf have done) then expect ALOT of critisism, prejudice and assumptions - especially from the christian community.

 

[Kitangel]

hey, how many parents permission/ which parent would be needed for permission? i tried to get married at 17 in NZ, but my father put a block on my passport and put an appeal of protest in the courts. this is in AUS - and we were going to get married in NZ

 

[Kitangel]

I mean in the UK too...sorry bout that

 

[bumblebee62331]

I've never heard of that ... maths equation ... to figure out how old he/she should be

I always swore I would never ever date a guy younger than me ... and here I am in a long-term relationship with a guy who is six months younger than me. At the moment, he's my age. My grandmother made me scream when she pipes up with "For six months of the year, he's your toyboy!!"

 

[Inperfected]

hey, how many parents permission/ which parent would be needed for permission?

Ahh I believe that would be.... Both.

 

[AutumnDreamer]

Is it ok for a 22 year old guy to date a 16 year old girl?

No, it isn't if she were 22 and he were 28, that would be different.

Can a 16 year old understand her feelings well enough to know if she is in love?

Yes, depending on the person, I knew at 16 that I was in love, married at 18 and have been happily married for almost 12 years.

Is it acceptable to have larger age gaps in a relationship?

Depends on the couple, I know one couple that has a 13 year difference and they are perfect for each other, but I know another couple that have a 9 year difference and they never should have gotten married and are now on the road to divorce unfortunetly.

 

[tigercub]

but if you do go down that path (as me and my bf have done) then expect ALOT of critisism, prejudice and assumptions - especially from the christian community.

I can second this

Be prepared to lose a few people you previously considered as friends.

That in itself can be rough on any relationship, the kind of pressure most new couples don't experience quite so early on in their relationship. So be prepared

 

[none the wiser]

I've never heard of that ... maths equation ... to figure out how old he/she should be

I always swore I would never ever date a guy younger than me ... and here I am in a long-term relationship with a guy who is six months younger than me. At the moment, he's my age. My grandmother made me scream when she pipes up with "For six months of the year, he's your toyboy!!"

Yea my parents used to say that too until I basically broke down. lol

My boyfriend is 3 years and 13 days younger *waits for everyone to faint*

Also, I can third x.xBornFreex.x 's comment. People turn on you, and make very cruel assumptions and comments. Lucky for me, most of them came from my family. [/blatant sarcasm] My friends know, and they don't really make comments, but I don't think they approve. See I met him over the internet, and he lives in PA. So he's far away, younger than me... Kinda makes me angry that all of the "negative" factors negate the fact I'm happy with him, we've been dating for 10 months in a couple weeks, and been best friends for more than a year and a half. Pretty special -_-