Is "gosh, she's really attractive" appropriate for a 45 yo to say about a 14 yo?

[GreyHolly]

Just that please.

If I was to see a handsome 14 year old boy, I would say, "what an attractive young man".

I am not sexually inclined towards children.

Using the word attractive to mean beautiful is a generational thing in my experience.

You can describe a child as attractive without it sexualising them.

Anyhow the op statement wouldn't phase me.

I don't think there's anything sinister in it, I probably wouldn't say it myself though even if I thought it.

I would not have an issue if my husband said that. It's something I could say myself about a 14 year old on the voice.

Unless he has displayed other behaviour you deem inappropriate with adolescent girls, then I don't see a problem.

If an absolute one off no issues. He would probably be mortified if he knew you were reading it :-(

I wonder if there will be a drip feed that he was doing this at the time.

I wonder if there will be a drip feed that he was doing this at the time.

Attachment fail.

Attractive does imply attraction, but the thing is that not everyone is so perfect with their use of language. I am aged straight female but I'm sure I have occasionally got the term wrong when referring to the good looks of a teenager, but that does not mean I intend to jump their bones.

Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't read too much into it, or assume anything nefarious. But I still wish blokes wouldn't say things like this about very young girls. It's just a bit...off? Unnecessary?

Just think it in your head, ffs.

No, not appropriate. Pretty, maybe. Attractive does imply attraction.
This was when watching The Voice kids? So 45yo knew the girl was 14. It's not as if he thought she was older.

attractive is one word that sums it up. it's a little tiresome having someone rattle off "good bone structure" "great facial symmetry" "excellent complexion".

attractive is one word that sums it up.

Doesn't 'attractive' literally come from the idea of sexually attracting other people? As someone said upthread, you wouldn't describe a 7-year-old as 'attractive'.

'Pretty' or 'beautiful' or 'gorgeous' all seem more appropriate.

I don't think it's weird. Attractive doesn't mean 'I'm attracted to her.' To me it seems more neutral - 'beautiful' sounds rather gushy imo and 'pretty' is rather colloquial. It's definitely a word I hear used more by my parents than younger people though.

Doesn't mean they're sexually attracted to them ... maybe they're just a beautiful child.

Also some 14 year old girls look 25 nowadays! Look at Molly O'malia and tell me she looks 14

I guess I can see why people think attractive means bring attracted to them but the fact is the word is now used to simply describe pretty.

I don't think it's creepy...unless it's part of a wider context.

I think it's perfectly ok. I'd say the same about an unusually attractive boy or girl.

I think it's fine. I could possibly be guilty of saying this.

So he couldn't keep the comment to himself?

The creep. I bet he leers at school girls

Who said it?

I've said a few times that a boy in my 12yo sons sporting team is a very goodlooking boy, I have no sexual feelings towards him
Think your over dramatising

I would never say it about a 14 year old boy or girl for that matter. I am a secondary school teacher who works with teenagers so obviously not but I wouldn't anyway.

OMG ! There HAS to be a backstory or the fact this needs questioning wouldn't have entered the OP's head, totally inane observation in normal circumstances surely!

I don't think it's inappropriate!

My 3 sons have a set of friends who are brothers of the same ages. I can openly say one of the brothers (who is a young teen) is very attractive, it doesn't mean I fancy him! People say both my middle and youngest son are attractive/beautiful/handsome/stunning. It doesn't mean anything other than that.

It's a bit depressing that some posters think that all the compliments I've had from time to time over the years about DDs or DS's being good looking were all made by 'creeps' .

One of my DDs has particularly gorgeous long blond sleek hair which regularly attracts comments from strangers - am I failing as my role as her parent If I don't deck the people that comment? 🤔 Fortuanately she also attracts comments about being a lovely hardworking and funny person too....

Is there a minimum age where it's not 'creepy' to comment that a child is pretty or handsome or is it literally never an acceptable thing to say.