When is it acceptable for a 21 year old to date an 18 year old if one is in HS still

[Geiz]

I was wondering, in what situation is this acceptable? If they like continued the relationship from HS maybe. I ask for this part as some cases might have been one was a senior and the other was a freshmen, which is considered weird/odd. I'm asking if there are alternative situations where continuing a relationship that didn't start from when one was a senior and freshmen which are possible/common?

[snowboy91]

Not quite sure what you're saying in your post but I'll address the title question. Whether or not it's acceptable is really up to the culture in your country and your social setting. You're going to get a LOT of different responses here, but I'll start with mine.

 

It's only a 3 year age gap and you're both still fairly young, but you are both over the age of consent. Therefore there really isn't a problem with it when you look at it initially. However, I'm sure you'll recognise that as you go from age 18 to age 21, your world view and your experiences change enormously, since at 18 and still in high school you haven't experienced much of the real world yet. That sort of age gap, although small, is very likely to cause compatibility issues which will make being in that sort of relationship difficult.

 

So to answer whether it's "acceptable", then absolutely yes, but the reality is likely to be that it will be hard work. Also over time, the younger one is likely to want to explore themselves and other people which will inevitably end the relationship.

[d0nnivain]

A legal adult has little business dating a child still in HS. If the 18 year old is still in HS & the attraction is that strong, at least put it on hold until the kid graduates.

[anika99]

I don't see a problem. A 3yr age gap when we're talking about an 18yr old and a 21yr old is pretty small. It would be a huge age gap if their ages were 13yrs and 17yrs because it's amazing how quickly kids grow and mature through their teen years. A 13yr old is a child but an 18yr old is an adult, at least where I live. If these people live in a place where they can date legally then there is no issue