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Original poster

would you date a younger man?

57 replies

redhappy · 11/07/2013 07:03

I've never been out with anyone more than 2 years younger than me. The father of my dcs is actually 10years older than me.

When I was 23 I worked with a boy who was 17. It was obvious he really liked me, and there was a lot of chemistry there. But he was too young for me.

in now 32,he's 27. Last night we had a lovely talk on facebook. There was definitely still something there, and he made hints about the possibility of meeting up. I think I want to and the age gap doesn't seem as significant now.

What's it like dating someone younger than you? Good sex is my guess? My sex drive really kicked in when I got to 30 so we might be quite in sync in that respect?

What about a relationship though? What issues commonly arise?

OP posts:
Numberlock · 11/07/2013 07:09

It's only 5 years, hardly a massive difference. Just see what happens, enjoy it and don't look for problems.

SirDoris · 11/07/2013 07:14

5 years is not much at all.Go for it!

MonstersDontCry · 11/07/2013 07:15

Agree with above. 5 years is nothing really. I would go for it! Good luck! Wink

CogitoErgoSometimes · 11/07/2013 07:16

Five years isn't that big an age-gap. My best friend is 20 years older than me and we get along fine. Main risk of dating much younger people is that they can be at a different stage in life and therefore want different things. Or you can find that your references are different and it gets in the way of communication. But the difference between a 27 year-old man and a 32 year-old woman is likely to be minimal

dietstartsmonday · 11/07/2013 07:16

My DP is 27 today, i am 34. It works and we don't even notice the age!

Lweji · 11/07/2013 07:17

My ex was 4 years younger.
It was not a big problem, apart from his personality.

patienceisvirtuous · 11/07/2013 08:54

My DP is 26. I am 35. I nearly didn't go there because of the gap. He is such a great partner and more mature than my xps who were older than him!

ThisReallyIsNotSPNopeNotAtAll · 11/07/2013 08:56

Its only 5 years.

I would go 5 year older though nit younger at my age. I'm 22 and have siblings older than 18 Grin

rubyrubyruby · 11/07/2013 08:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pagwatch · 11/07/2013 08:59

I met my dh when I was 25 and he was 19.
He was younger than me but he was and never as been less mature than me.
He proposed on his 20th birthday. We have been married for 23years.

pictish · 11/07/2013 09:04

I don't think 5/6 years difference is a big deal.

I wouldn't want to date a young lad of 21 or something, but at 27 he's probably old enough now to not be a complete dick through immaturity.

My mate who is 41 is in the process of splitting up from her younger partner though - he is 26. She ended up just being like his mummy. Yuck.

TravelinColour · 11/07/2013 09:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheFallenNinja · 11/07/2013 09:13

There's 8 years between me and DP. I'm 44, she's 36 we have 8 month DD.

BackforGood · 11/07/2013 09:14

Of course - 5 years isn't really what I would call a "younger man" (unless you were 19 and him 14). You are two available (presumably?) people in the same age group as far as I would see.

Original poster
redhappy · 11/07/2013 09:19

Ooh ok lots of positive stories! Yes I don't think there's much difference once you get part 25. Maturity is just down to life experience then.

Maybe lists what I'm worried about. He's got a good job with prospects etc so not so much about life stage in that respect. I think it's more about what I've been through in the last 8 years, I think he's had a nice life and I've made loads mistakes. I was in an abusive relationship, got 2 dcs, one with sn.

I'm probably not being fair to him! Will just in without and see what happens!

OP posts:
Fairylea · 11/07/2013 09:19

Dh is 8 years younger than me :) we have ds 1 and I have dd 10 from a previous relationship.

When I met him he was a uni dropout living on his mum's sofa :) I was a senior marketing executive. ..! Now we own our own home and he is a manager and I'm a sahm. We are very happy together.

Original poster
redhappy · 11/07/2013 09:20

*just go with it that should say! On my phone and absolutely useless with autocorrect!!

OP posts:
Branleuse · 11/07/2013 09:22

im 4 years older than dp. I dont notice any difference. Were both adults.

Original poster
redhappy · 11/07/2013 09:23

I think it's because when we met the age difference seemed quite significant. Just need to get my head around it not being an issue anymore!

OP posts:
BearsInMotion · 11/07/2013 09:29

When I met DP I wasn't interested in any relationship. We got close because he was way too young (6 years younger!) to be interested in me, and he was a geeky student where I had much more life experience! 8 years and one DD later we're still going strong! He likes to think he tamed me Hmm

Coristarz · 11/07/2013 09:31

My DP is 11 years younger than me. We have a baby together, all is good :) My father is 10 years older than my Mum, they've been married for 43 years...

I think age is relative to each person... Some people are inmature for their age, others are more mature. You're both adults, and as long as you're both happy with each other, then why no? Good luck!

StupidFlanders · 11/07/2013 09:37

Ooh I'm 9 years older and happily married with dcs! Your gap is tiny!

HotDAMNlifeisgood · 11/07/2013 10:10

I wouldn't date an immature man anymore

If he's a 27 yo with the level of maturity you require, it should be fine.

I get what you mean about having met him as a 17 yo, though, which may have lodged the "way too young!" belief in your brain. But time has passed, test the waters, see if it works now!

scarletforya · 11/07/2013 10:59

Yes, 5 years is not too much of a gap at this stage. He is late twenties and you are early 30's. On the same page I would say!

My DP is 11 years younger and we have a baby girl and have been together six years and are very happy. He is much more mature than my ex who was my age and is a total manchild.

Jan45 · 11/07/2013 11:03

I wouldn't even notice five years to be honest, my ex was six years younger and everyone thought it was the other way around!