Is age just a number or something more?

[$Nanaki$]

This has been bothering me for some time now.

I'm a bit older than the ususal people here, and i have been wondering-- is age really such an important factor in our lives, or is it just someting we use as an excuse when we don;t want to face up to someone or something? I'm talking about age as in friendship, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, things like that.

Now I am 41, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I also like younger women, and I am not ashamed to admit that. What gets me are people that think if you like younger women (or men, it applies equally), you are "robbing the cradle" or somesuch.
The definition of an dult is one over the age of 18, so if 2 adults no matter what age, start a friendship, or relationship, it is no one's business but their own.

However, the way society views it is another matter entirely. Society seems to think it is wrong or immoral. Has everyone forgotten years and years ago young women used to be maried to older men anf vice versa, and they were happy and lived good lives. Now i'm not using that as an example of what I am trying to say-- just that there were times when it was perfectly accepltable.

In modern society, I don't feel anyone should be judged on their age. Yet at the same time there is so much age bias in our society today that i do not think we can ignore it.

Anyway I welcome your thoughts and opinions on this.

[Hikari]

Age is nothing more than another lable given to us by society. Of course there are limitations depending on your age but that doesn't have to stop you.

Heres what someone told me once: Time {age} is nothing more than a measure of what is already happening. If I leave a cup of hot coffee out it will cool after a certain amount of time, but even if we didn't have time to measure how long it takes it would still cool eventually.

[rJ floW]

Age is just a number past a certian point, and that point varies with the person.

I, for example, don't mind age too much, I'm 22, and i've slept with a 36 year old...mainly for the "mature" sex (aka good sex). But I say from 18-25 there can be HUGE gaps in maturity, then after 25 MOST people should be on somewhat of an equal field. I dont mind robbin the cradle and i dont mind cougar hunting, and thats the same with a LOT of my friends. BUT I can't seem to be in a relationship with those younger than me, mainly because what they are doing nowadays I've done years ago and I dont wanna go back to those days.

I do think, however, that age is an important part of our society as it regulates how fast people can grow up, which is important as i see it. If you allowed people to vote, drink, drive, whenever they wanted to, there would be huge problems, and age is an easy way to draw lines for such governmental regulations.

But its late, and im rambling, i hate workin nights

[Angantyr]

I personally think age is an important factor in judging people, BUT not the definition of a person. People differ when it comes to maturity, not mentioning names but I know a 8 year old here who is more intelligent and on to it than a 17 year old. I am 20, I have a 15 year old girl who likes me, she shows obvious signs that she is still a kid but she is still mature.

Personally I think age is an issue till about 21, then from their its just really a number, 18 is what I would say an adult but this is the time when most of us see the world for what it really is. Oh and my Grandad was 12 years older than my grandma, and my Mums boysfriend is 13 years, but you don't really notice it besides the grey hair. Also another thing is apperence, my grandma is like 75 and she is only just starting to get gray hair, my great granny lived to 97 and she still lived on her own and was quite healthy, but she accepted she had spent her time on Earth.

[Kamdrik]

Originally Posted by $Nanaki$

I also like younger women, and I am not ashamed to admit that.

There is nothing wrong with liking younger women!
anyway, age, i believe (and have for a long time) that age is just our body clock telling us what time it is...basically, your 41 right? that means 41 o'clock in your body, basically its count down until the time you...die.

thats what i believe anyway, sorry if it was confusing or disturbing to anyone, i mean no offence!

[Hildegarde]

Originally Posted by $Nanaki$

This has been bothering me for some time now.

I'm a bit older than the ususal people here, and i have been wondering-- is age really such an important factor in our lives, or is it just someting we use as an excuse when we don;t want to face up to someone or something? I'm talking about age as in friendship, partner, boyfriend/girlfriend, things like that.

Now I am 41, and I am not ashamed to admit it. I also like younger women, and I am not ashamed to admit that. What gets me are people that think if you like younger women (or men, it applies equally), you are "robbing the cradle" or somesuch.
The definition of an dult is one over the age of 18, so if 2 adults no matter what age, start a friendship, or relationship, it is no one's business but their own.

However, the way society views it is another matter entirely. Society seems to think it is wrong or immoral. Has everyone forgotten years and years ago young women used to be maried to older men anf vice versa, and they were happy and lived good lives. Now i'm not using that as an example of what I am trying to say-- just that there were times when it was perfectly accepltable.

In modern society, I don't feel anyone should be judged on their age. Yet at the same time there is so much age bias in our society today that i do not think we can ignore it.

Anyway I welcome your thoughts and opinions on this.

Society does take this kind of relationships with a bit of skepticism (and I'm being nice, here), society also seems to believe that there is an age bracket that limit us and defines us in every stage of life.

For example, I'm 36, I play videogames, I still listen to a lot of music, as much as I did when I was a teen and I don't want to have children.
Apparently, that means that I'm immature, you know, since I should be thinking of things that pre-occupies the mind of a typical 36 yo. old, whatever those might be; children, a bigger house, a better car, an office with a window, white hairs, wrinkles...
No matter how much I explain what kind of person I am, the enviroment in which I was raised, or the nature of my ambitions are, I will just be dismissed as a childish woman.

My grandmother has never changed her attitude, always young at heart, but, she recieved a lot of criticism for it, I remember an episode in which my dad was outraged that she wanted to lift the hem of her skirts a bit and show a little knee, to conform the mini-skirt fashion, she had great gams and it wasn't like she was suddenly wearing hot pants, but my dad didn't think that a woman of her age (not quite fifty) should have done that.
In the end, she didn't.
And I always wondered what was the difference in my dad's mind, what made him think that it was so horrible for my granny to show half her knees.

And don't even get me started on my marriage; my husband is much older than me, and, for years I never saw the end of the opinions: he is immature, she is duping him, he is using her, she sees him as a father figure, he sees her as a trophy wife, she is crazy, he is crazy, he is shallow; only sees beauty in a young girl, she is ditzy, why else would she marry an older guy?, blah, blah, blah, it has taken ten years of marriage to shut people's mouths about it.

But, I don't see that point of view changing any time soon, people is quick to judge, the first thing that will come to their minds is a negative opinion, I guess it's human nature.
As you said, these kinds of relationships were much better accepted in the past, but, nowadays, everybody is just too damn skeptic and untrusting.

If you are beginning a relationship with someone youger, be prepared to years of flak.

[*Sam*]

I don't think it should be a huge issue if you love the person, but bear in mind some people do have a point about someone being too old or young
For example I don't think a 70 yr old and a 25 yr old is a particulary healthy relationship. Also a girlo I know who has just turned 17, is having sex with a 49 yr old. To me that is wrong, they dont love each other they are just having sex for the hell of it.
To me thats borderline pedophelia, others may have other opinions but thats how I was raised.
An age gap of say ten years isnt so bad coz thats the difference between my Mum and Dad but both people have to be mature enough to handle the relationship.

[Tiffany]

I'm 27.

I certainly have my "why bother" moments, that's for sure. There's nothing more irritating than sitting here and reading some of these posts from people who really do think they know it all. Like they know what it's like to actually live on your own, and support yourself without any help from Mommy and Daddy.

I mean, to each their own and if you can get away with leeching off your parents, hell... I say go for it. It annoys me though, when they come around and try and tell me how it works... when I've been living on my own since I was 16. Yep, not a typo. 16. Granted I didn't have a condo then like I do now, but that's the hardest thing I find. You see these people who obviously live in some sort of bubble, yet are apparant know-it-alls in everything else.

For me, that's my biggest thing. Personally I don't think age is relavent when sleeping with someone, provided that it's not statutory rape or anything. Nothing wrong with a 32 year old with a 22 year old, but it'd be weird for a 22 year old with a 12 year old. Know what I mean?

Originally Posted by Hildegarde

For example, I'm 36, I play videogames, I still listen to a lot of music, as much as I did when I was a teen and I don't want to have children.
Apparently, that means that I'm immature, you know, since I should be thinking of things that pre-occupies the mind of a typical 36 yo. old, whatever those might be; children, a bigger house, a better car, an office with a window, white hairs, wrinkles...
No matter how much I explain what kind of person I am, the enviroment in which I was raised, or the nature of my ambitions are, I will just be dismissed as a childish woman.

I get that alot too. Well... sometimes I get more of the "huuuuh? You like video games... but you're a GUUURL!" (omg, right?) But then it's fine for older guys to have the video game addiction. Gotta love those double standards.

Originally Posted by $Nanaki$

Has everyone forgotten years and years ago young women used to be maried to older men anf vice versa, and they were happy and lived good lives.

Hhahaha nowadays they call that a "sugar daddy", right? But I see what you mean. What used to be the norm isn't.

[Pete for S-Mod]

We could all try and be idealist, but the fact is that age does matter.

At 18, I have little to offer a 30 year old. Student, living at home, etc. Now, of course, the older you get, the more spread out the age gap becomes. 18 and 30 may not work, but 28 and 40 is more likely, and 38 and 50 does not even seem like a difference. The "Age is nothing but a number" is the reason stupid 15 year old girls date 20 year old guys who want nothing but sex.

I don't think age has to do with love. Some people are more mature at 13 then at 56. It all depends on who you are. I can understand how you can be scrutinized for being here, but I know lots of people on here that are not a kiddie teenager. Sadly that includes me. As far as in relationships. I can't say anything because I am getting married to a guy that is 10 years older that I am. He likes younger women. Does that mean he is a pervert? NO! Infact he is one of the sweetest men I have had the pleasure of being with . An he is on here as well^^. The only reason age should matter is if you are a pedo, and I don't think you are a pedo. Age does not measure love. Yeah, and what other peopla said an all that stuff.

[Leroy]

Age does matter, I guess. I really don't have an opinion on the matter, because I don't care how old the pussy is. Naw, but seriously, it shouldn't matter how old somebody is. If you're over 18, you decide who you want to fuck, am I right? Of course, I don't mean an 18 year old can go fuck 12 year olds because he sees it fit. Seriously, if a man, aged 40 or so, is sticking it to an 18 year old lass? And she's loving it? Kudos.

[Chez Daja]

Originally Posted by Hisari

Age is nothing more than another lable given to us by society. Of course there are limitations depending on your age but that doesn't have to stop you.

What the ****? Age is a lable now? No, age isn't a lable because it has existed longer then what kids feel is "cliche" or labelling. Age is given you at birth, it's just something that continusly grows, whether one likes it or not.
However, I do agree with you when you say limitations with aging, and that that doesn't have to stop one from what they do.

I think age does matter. Sort of. I mean, after 18, it's okay to do anything, but I think people are maturing a lot younger these days. Of course, there will always be the minority of youths who will insist on "rebeling"... it's sad, but it's true. Age in relationships matters too, I think. A 45 year old with an 18 year old? ...Uhm... That's creepy in my eyes, but if that float your boat, go for it. I won't bash anybody for personal prefrence, and I will try my best not to insult or offend anybody. 26ish with 45 year old? Yeah, maybe. I'm not really into limiting people on who they should love. Then again, every guy I've ever dated was born the same year as me -- always a few months older then me. I'm happy with that, I probably wouldn't want anybody much older then me. And younger? I gave up on younger men.

Damn manwhores, showing me up with their youthful looks and their babysoft skin.