by Andrea-Lee Peters

Created on: September 21, 2009   Last Updated: September 22, 2009

Before we attempt to debate this question we need to realize that it works in two ways. Are we asking whether a 30-year-old man should date an 18-year-old girl, or are we asking if a 30-year-old woman should date an 18-year-old guy? The initial response to this question would be to immediately think of the older guy, but in todays society isn't it both?

Several years ago my friend who was 18-year-olds at the time made the decision to date a 30-year-old man. I personally questioned this at the time as I believed he was getting far more out of the relationship than she. What thirty something man wouldn't want to date an eighteen year old? I'd say very few. The relationship lasted a few years, but then ended as she decided after moving in with him that it wasn't working any longer. None of this was due to the difference in age, more just their growing apart. Not all relationships go the distance. Did the age difference matter? I don't think so, I think it depends upon the person and what they personally want!

I recently had an experience where I was the older woman. Going back about a year now the guy who asked me out on a date was 19-years-old. My initial reaction, "Oh my, there's an age difference." The result, I never went on the date. I was conscious of the age gap and the fact that maybe he didn't know what he wanted at this age. Would it be me that ended up getting hurt?

Six months later we met again, the same attraction was there, but yet again I doubted the idea. I told him I was older, he didn't seem to care. So, what do you do? I liked him, but was aware of the problems that could occcur. Society appears to view younger girls and older men far easier than it views older women and younger men. I still choose not to pursue the relationship, but it has bothered me ever since. What if I turned down something great just because of a simple number?

So, the answer is, every person is different. Some girls are more mature at eighteen, some guys are too. If you like someone, go for it. What matters is what you think, no-one else! Your life is yours, choose someone that can make you happy. If Madonna and Demi can do it, then why not you?

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