age differences?

So then! I've been thinking about this for a while now, especially since I will be 18 very very soon and it is an issue that seems to pop up quite often with me. Do you guys think age differences should really matter in a relationship, or have you found it hard to find one because of it? For me specifically, I feel that age really is just a number more than anything, and maturity plays a larger role in whether or not a person should be persued. Granted, this is also coming from a girl who doesn't like the idea of dating guys her age because they tend to either be intimidated or extremely childish(which is nothing too shocking. People my age are still kids anyway). So then! Discuss! :D

Mmmm, I think it depends on the person and their life experiences more than age. That said, I would be cautious about anything more than a four to five year age difference, especially when one is in their teens or twenties, as this is when most of the "maturity" takes place, so to speak, and because someone's worldview and priorities at age 18 are different than at age 23, for example. Later on in life, I don't think it matters quite so much. I'm eighteen, and while I do agree with you that the vast majority of guys my age need quite some time to mature, there -are- those of us who are mature, kind, caring, and intelligent. So, I wouldn't entirely rule out guys your own age! Just got to be careful, but that's true with any potential dating partn4er, I suppose.

Personally, I think age is just a number too and shouldn't matter as much. On the other hand, in they eyes of the law, it matters quite a bit (little joke). Typically guys are the oldest ones in the relationship. Also males are most likely to die before the female does in a relationship, I.E. marriage. My parents are 5 years apart and everything came out fine. I dated a girl 8 years younger than me (she was 19 at the time :P) and that wasn't a problem either. However where do you draw the line?

classicist: Oh definitely there are guys that are younger that are pretty mature. There are a few I know that are like that, but it was mostly a majority comment. :3 It is pretty rare to find guys that are younger than in their 20's that are still pretty ready for a relationship. I guess a lot of it can also come down to the idea of if they know what they want more than anything else, which gets into more difficult territory. --- Ikkoku: You have a pretty good point with that. Age can matter a lot more than some than others, which can make things a lot harder. It is hard to say where to draw the line with stuff like that. Some of the happiest couples I know are actually a good 20-30 years appart from eachother and they met when the girl was still fairly young(late teens or early twenties). So I guess sometimes there doesn't really need to be a line? Though the younger you get the more that line really matters.

I've always been told "age is just a number", which it is however, age seems to be somewhat of a factor to me. Mostly for the maturity. Example: I dated a 26 year old man when I was 21...not bad on the age gap but a huge gap on the maturity level. However, I'd like to find someone within 2 or 3 years of my current age. Your asking for a line? I guess it all depends on you and what your confortable with.

Personally I think it would be nice if I met someone a bit older than me. I kinda have a thing for older women like <I>"Yuusaku Godai"</i> from <B>Maison Ikkoku</B>. <i>(Oh manager!) haha.</I>. Even though I'm in my mid tweenties and gettin' older I still have my inner child and I know when to let him out. That's why I don't have a problem dating anyone who is younger than me. As long as they are comfy with it.

Personally I think it would be nice if I met someone a bit older than me. I kinda have a thing for older women like <I>"Yuusaku Godai"</i> from <B>Maison Ikkoku</B>. <i>(Oh manager!) haha.</I>. Even though I'm in my mid tweenties and gettin' older I still have my inner child and I know when to let him out. That's why I don't have a problem dating anyone who is younger than me. As long as they are comfy with it.

Within a certain boundary, no, it really shouldn't matter in the least bit if the two of you really get along and want to be together...... To a boundary. We all know what I'm getting at. *cough* 80 year old men and 19 year old girls *cough* At some point it does become somewhat ridiculous.