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Originally Posted by Mygrandjourney
OK, I admit that I voted "no" and am (somewhat surprisingly) in the minority here. I guess a "yes" would be specific to the fact that it is legal. I also had a few personal experiences from an earlier time that give me this perspective. When I was in my mid 30's, I dated a woman 13 years my junior. I was focused on getting my life together, completing my education and starting a new career. She was still trying to figure her life out, dealing with conflicts with her parents (separation-individuation issues), exploring her sexuality and uncertain about whether or not she even wanted to be in a LTR. It was exciting at first, but ultimately unsatisfying and the age difference played a major role in the break up. A few years late, pushing 40, I did the same thing again (different woman this time) and had similar, painful results, as we still had to interact with each other for periods of time due to her being in the same academic program as me and her wanting to date other men in the program. These are isolated incidents, but the issues that kept the relationships from working out long term were similar and age related.
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Actually, most people in their early-mid 20s are also completing their education and starting their career. And don't you know that there are tons of people in their 30s who are still looking to figure their life out, explore their sexuality and are unsure if they want to be a in a LTR?
I'm going to be 27 in a few months and I am still figuring out what I want to do careerwise. I will likely be in the position where I will be taking classes with 20 year olds when I am 30. While I can't say for sure, I kinda feel like the younger college aged girls are a better match for me than girls my own age. From what I can see, most girls over 25ish are done enjoying the casual dating scene and are looking for something serious. I have literally had no dating experiences yet and am mostly looking to play the field. Doesn't it make sense for me to be dating younger women who are in this same phase?
Sure if an older guy was looking for a committed long term relationship, perhaps a relationship with younger woman will be less likely to work out, but who ever said older guys are always looking for committed relationships? Lots of guys over 30 are still looking to play the field. A lot of them are probably "late bloomers" like me who missed out when they were younger. Others are just not ready yet. Either way, why should they not date younger women who are looking for the same thing? Should they instead date women their own age who are looking for marriage?
Of course, the taboo against men dating younger women actually has nothing to do with whether or not the relationships work out. This is evidenced by the fact that even when a 30 year old guy merely LOOKS at a college aged girl, people start calling him a perv and a creep. It is the same bigotry that existed towards homosexuality; people are just brainwashed to think this way and there is no logic behind it.
You say you are surprised that you are in the minority? Well then take a look at the other poll I started about whether it's ok for a 45 year old WOMAN to date a 20 year old GUY. In that poll, 80% say yes, whereas in this one it is merely 58%. The only thing that should "surprise" anyone is the blatantly obvious double standard.