Does age matter?

[mercury]

Wht are people's perception on a relationship where the bloke is younger? My friend is putting off starting a relationship as the guy is only 18, she only 21 but she thinks people will see that as too young? What are your thoughts?

[druiaghtagh]

To hell with what people think, if she likes him then go for it girl!

[apricot]

Doesn't matter at all. mr apricot is 8 years younger than me and we've been together for over 24 years. Anyway he is much more mature than me. Age is how you are not how old you are.

[Janetex]

I agree. My husband and I were similar ages and have now been together 30 years. Any relationship is a risk, it's what you make of it.

[enigma]

Let people talk. As long as they are both happy , then surely that is all that matters ? It's hardly a vast age gap anyway is it ? I think that there tends to be somewhat of a stigma with women dating men who are younger than them , although it is considered the norm and perfectly acceptable for men to date women who are younger than them and even a lot of the time , getting the proverbial pat on the back from their friends and often envious looks if there is a huge age gap. Three years is nothing to be ashamed of. I would perhaps say that if there was a noticeable age gap , it could cause problems once the initial "honeymoon period" wore off due to different interests from both partners and perhaps them realising that age is a barrier and that they don't have a lot in common but if she has found someone whom she is at ease with and feels that it could develop into something stronger , then I say good luck to her and how dare anyway else say otherwise. It is her life and she should be free to live it as she pleases. They are both adults after all -it would be different if she was chasing around the high school playgrounds lol !

[bernardo]

Good grief! No problem at all! The woman being three years older than the man is exactly the same situation as Michelle and Stuart! What on earth could possibly go wrong? If the age gap were 15 or 20 years there might be a problem, but not if it's only 3.

[Tha-Flash]

No... Your feelings between each other matter more than what some people think.

[smudge]

Who gives a monkey's, as long as they are in love & happy!

[andy hughes]

Little to add to my colleagues' thoughts, except that your friend will have to endure the ludicrous stereotyping snide comments that they will both get. If a man dates a younger woman, he is a 'lucky stud', and if a woman dates a younger man she is a 'cradle snatcher' - it's part of the ritual people go through because the lack the wit and insight to realise that their comments are a) very old, and b) weren't true, or indeed amusing, the first time! Tell your friends to grit their teeth and smile! Other than that, they should enjoy their relationship together, and remember, there;s only one thing worse than being talked about, and that's NOT being talked about!

[nicola_red]

My bf is 5 years younger and I highly recommend it!

[mercury]

R thanks guys!! just showed her this and she feels soo much better about the whole thing!!

[Lizzy]

Lets face it if they're still together when she's 73 and he's 70 no one will bat an eyelid! Whats the difference.