Why are age gaps or age differences between a girl and a guy such a big deal?

Answer 1

To some people it's a big deal. Mainly because you can change a lot in a few years time. Like say you're 18 and still in high school. You want to date someone who's 21 and has a job. There's a lot of differences between those two people based on only a few years. Like the 18 year old hasn't found out what life's really like after school and how hard things are like the 21 year old has. But i mean like it's really all just about who you are and stuff. Some people like to make big deals over things. But generally it's best to stick with someone your own age range. Because they're still going at life the same pace you are and have been through about the same.

Answer 2

There are legal considerations first. Dating laws are designed to protect underage minors, in particular girls (only because the laws were written a long time ago, and underage guys at the time were not seen as victims). More specifically, laws were designed to protect underage girls from being sexually exploited, since most adults realize (since we were once teens ourselves) that being alone with the opposite sex might result in sexual touching which might lead to sexual intercourse. Parents didn't want an 18 yr ld man with a 14 year old girl or a 19 year old man seducing a 15 year old girl.

State laws in the US vary for Age of Consent, so you need to know the local and State laws for where you live. Besides laws, though, both the guy and girl should think very carefully before engaging in sex when one person is still under age 18! Young parenthood is very difficult, especially for females. Young pregnancy can alter both people's lives.

But then, there are social and other issues. A 13 or 14 yr old shouldn't be dating except in group situations, and the age difference should be less, like 1 or 2 years. A 15-year old with a 17 year old means both are still in high school. But if one is over 18 with a 15 year old, the two kids have very different social and life experiences, plus different goals. While the 18 yr old might be preparing to go away to college in the fall, the 15 yr old still has high school to finish. A 15 yr old isn't even driving yet; cannot legally drink; and in many jurisdictions still has a legal curfew. There aren't many places for dating to occur, where both will feel the date has been enjoyable. So adults fear "the date" could turn sexual just because the 2 have no outside place to go together, except maybe the movies or Bowling.

The best rule of thumb: Keep the age difference to either 1 or 2 years apart. Avoid dating much younger people--- and if you are very young, put off dating until you are a little older.