46 year old woman .....dating 24 year old guy

[Blondiegirl2]

What would you make of this? I've just found out, that my friend is dating a guy younger than her own son. She's 46. He's 24.

I do know it's none of my business (of course), but I'm wondering what a woman of 46 would see in a 24 year old (apart from the sex)?

I'm the same age as her, and my son is a similar age to the boyfriend, so it all seems a bit yukky to me.

I wouldn't bat an eye. He's a grown adult. It may be sex, short term fun or a loving relationship. Who cares, except them?

He may be more mature than his years, she may enjoy reliving her youth.

And tbh, nobody would bat an eye if a guy in his 40s pulled a gf in her 20s. His mates would be congratulating him, not pulling him down.

24 year olds are just people, presumably they get on, have things in common, etc etc. have you asked her what she finds attractive about him?

bit ew, in the same way if a 46yr old man was dating a 24yr old woman...

but, not my business

My 32 year old BIL is in a relationship with a 52 year old woman. They've been together about 7 or 8 years. No big deal - they're adults. Suits me as I'm the same age as her and we get along really well (complete irrelevancy!)

Gross.

@AbsolutelyCorking could you expand on that at all? What makes this "gross" for you?

Well I'm 46 and my eldest is 26 so ewww

OP - and, if it is sex and fun she is dating him for - why is that a problem?
Is she misleading him in any way? Or - if this relationship doesn’t end with ‘happily ever after’ - which it won’t, and both of them are, most likely aware of that - is that an issue?

No harm for anyone, they’re both adults. I would have a laugh with her and want to know all the gory details of her ‘youth injections’ because sure as anything, he will be keeping her young.

I'm interested in why some people think it's awful.

If it's just sex, consensual and between two adults, why is that gross?

If they met and had things in common, similar interests, the same sense of humour, enjoyed each other's company, why is that gross?

Some people too judgmental and small minded imo.

I wouldn’t think anything of it. A woman in her forties is at sexual peak so she may be enjoying the benefits of a man in his twenties. Or he may be quite mature in outlook and they’ve connected on an emotional level and are enjoying each other’s company. Be happy for your friend as long as she isnt being taken advantage of financially etc.

I'm mid forties and I might consider a man that young if the stars lined up.

Mid forties men are no picnic. It would be nice to be with someone who didn't have so much baggage and a laundry list of things he used to compare me to the mother of his grown children.

It sounds as if its a bit hard to me.

Half your age, plus seven.

Otherwise

Ewww!

It’s fine as long as both parties don’t expect too much, or longevity.

My father was considerably older than my mother so that's a bit biased of me but men as so much more immature that I only see a 24 y/o man as the equivalent of a college frat kid.

One thing to have a fling, quite another to expect a relationship.

4000 MN threads on how hard it is to navigate and/or find love in this world, and we purse our lips at this?

Good on ‘em.

I’m not above being a judgey-pants, but I try and restrict it to situations where partners are exhibiting neglect, abuse, hypocrisy or disloyalty.

They’ll have enough obstacles in pursuing their relationship, without you piling on. Don’t be that person!

The whole ‘ewww’ thing is just childish. 🙄

I’m 44 and wouldn’t touch a 20-something with a 10-foot pole, but that’s my choice. They’re two consenting adults and she’s 46, not 86; who gives a toss?

Similar aged to my DD and me. I wouldn't be too happy if he did this, I'd talk to him and voice my concerns, but ultimately, it'd obviously be his right as a grown man.

If I didn't have similar aged DS, my response would probably be a very different one.

Ewwww though.

bit ew, in the same way if a 46yr old man was dating a 24yr old woman...

^This. I wouldn’t date someone young enough to be my son

I’m mid 40’s. Dating a mid 20’s man wouldn’t appeal to me at all. It’s surprising perhaps a bit shocking feeling as I do. But I’m not them. Bottom line, each to their own.

I'm still interested in why it's ewwww. Detractors don't seem to be articulating why they feel like they do and I'm genuinely interested. Is it disgust that a guy might find an older woman's body attractive? Or is it that a middle aged woman might find a guy in his 20s attractive?

Personally I think the ‘ewww’ factor is being the same or very close in age to her son. I think the same with men who are seeing someone similar aged to their daughter.

My parents were young so there’s only 20 years between me and my dad and not even that with my mum.

I’m very much for everyone having fun, living their life etc. But the thought of my dad having sex with someone the same age as me, makes my tummy turn and I don’t see how it wouldn’t effect our relationship if he did so (maybe mostly due to the fact he’s married to my mum though!). Same with my mum and someone my age.

So what if someone was childless? Is it ok for them to find someone younger attractive then?

For me it wouldn’t feel weird if the older person was childless or had much younger children.
But I know I’m very much looking at it from the ‘child’s’ view.