Grown Men Dating Teenagers

[ReallyDubious]

I have a male acquaintance who expressed a really concerning opinion about age gap relationships. He thinks that it is ok for a much older man to date younger women and teenagers as 'some women (or girls) are more mature than others'. Although I agree with that in principle, I do not agree that a teenager is ever mature enough to date a grown man.

He said he dated 'mature' teens when he was in his 40s and I'm seriously revolted at the thought. AIBU to think there is something seriously wrong with this man?

However, she didn't seem to mind marrying someone of a similar age IRL, so you can argue the historical Hollywood age gap is somewhat reflective of the dating preferences of women and men if they are left to make their own choices

But women and men are left to make their own choices!

And women overwhelmingly prefer to date men their own age. Hardly any women prefer men who are decades older.

Rather, Hollywood age gaps reflect the delusions of the old men who run Hollywood. Happily, things are changing even there.

Her marrying Michael Douglas raised many an eyebrow! 25 year age gap, yuk. Most women prefer men around their own age. I should imagine some women find the desperate attention of an older man flattering but most find it rather revolting.

Yes very rare @HelmholtzWatson not common like you make out. Most women want to be with men their age.

Eww. Actually the only man I know of irl who who went out with a teenager in his 40s ended up in court then fled to Thailand. Cast out from career and friends. Estranged from wife and kids.

I think the key thing to think about here is would a grown adult (over 30) want to have a platonic friendship - see regularly - with a teenager?

What on earth would they have in common?
Pretty much nothing. So, if you wouldn't have enough in common to maintain a friendship with them, what's left?

I think we all know. And it's grim. No matter how the sexes are placed.

I'm in my 40s and have good friends who are late teens/early twenties because we all play the same sport.

I'm not presenting this as a defense of age gaps just that ime there are plenty of valid reasons to be friends with people of different ages

But that's the point, you all play the same sport. That's your common ground.

I have friends I work with who are 25 years younger than me. They're my work friends. That's what I have in common with them. That's all.