My boyfriend is 18 and I'm his 26 year old girlfriend. Will that freak people out?

[Anonymous]

We totally connect. We're attracted to each other. We're very close...but I'm worried that people will think wrong of me for dating a guy 8 years younger than me.

What do you honestly think about this age gap? Especially since I'm a girl? Nobody seems to flinch when a guy dates a much younger girl (Nine Inch Nails singer is 40ish engaged to a 20 year old), but with a woman, I don't know, it's a double standard it seems.

So yeah. What do you honestly think about it. And have you been in this situation or know someone who has?

[authentic]

"We totally connect. We're attracted to each other. We're very close..."

Congratulations. A rare jem you two are holding in your hands.

"but I'm worried that people will think wrong of me for dating a guy 8 years younger than me." ... "it's a double standard it seems."

It is. Because of the qualities of the masculine and the feminine has many mistakenly think that that males are to play the role of protector/supplier, and females the role of being protected/receiver. What few are aware of is that a human being is born with BOTH qualities. How can a male make a good father if he is 100% masculine ? Vice versa for female.

The way to handle double standards (the one you mentioned is not the only one) is :

Don't see yourself through the eyes of other people; or else your happiness (in this case, it includes your relationship) will vaporize easily.

[chettah-two]

honestly, if a 26yo guy dating an 18yo girl I would still think its a bit much...

However an 18yo guy with a 26yo girl say good for him...

i wish I dated someone that age when I was 18...

To tell the truth I don't think there is anything wrong.. had it been the other way round, then maybe I would look at it in a different slightly negative way..

[Cusocuso]

The age difference doesn't seem like a big deal to me.

[Lithium65]

Rule of thumb for acceptable dating range is. 1/2 your age +7
Example: (26/2)+7=20. (40/2)+7=27

It's just a guide

[Anonymous]

It's totally okay.. I'm 25 and my boyfriend is 18 and we've been dating for almost a year so far, so I was 24 when we first met and he was just 17 ! As long as everything is going well between you two stop worrying :)

[Steven129]

Well, I'm 18 my girl is 24 and I'm okay with it