Is it considered predatory for an 18 year old to date a 21 year old?

[NightRogue]

Mainly on twitter, I've seen some people say it is predatory, so I was wondering, is this age gap predatory or fine. I mean in uni to clarify

[BaileyB]

It would be fine with me.

 

All parties are consenting adults. I have a more significant gap in age with my partner and most of my friends at this age we’re dating older men (meaning, late teens or early 20’s).

[Veronica73]

No, it’s not predatory. Although, I do know for me, I grew up quite a bit from 18 to 21.

[NightRogue]

Legality is not morality though

[schlumpy]

No, it is not illegal. No charges for corrupting a minor will be issued.

 

I think this is coming from the rising tide of cultural opinion where people are considered kids into their twenties. Some are and some aren't. Some people are still children in their 50's.

[stillafool]

When I was 18 I dated 21 year olds.

[preraph]

No. Nothing wrong with it. Everyone is of age and only 3 years apart. Seems like the way it usually goes to me.

[somanymistakes]

Honestly it depends on the situation much more than it does on the ages.

 

It's absolutely possible for a 21yo to be manipulating an 18yo in a creepy way and taking advantage of them being younger and less experienced. Especially if the 18yo was raised very sheltered and does not know how to make adult decisions.

 

It's also absolutely possible, and really more common, for them to be interacting mostly like equals and to have a perfectly healthy relationship.

 

Bad relationships can happen at any age. The legal guidelines are broad strokes to capture the majority of cases, but they're not perfect.

[Springsummer]

are you kidding me? 3 yrs difference only.

[d0nnivain]

In the US the issue that will arise is one can go to bars / clubs & the other can't.

 

If they are both in uni, it's probably fine because they are at the same life stage. But once the older one graduates, the stress of that person being in the world while their SO is still in college will probably tear the relationship apart.

[GorillaTheater]

My wife and I started dating (the second time around) at 18 and 20, so pretty much the same thing. As far as I know it was perfectly normal, and I'd be amazed if anyone thought otherwise.

[amaysngrace]

You’re both adults and probably on the same level of maturity at that age if the 18 year old is the woman.

[NightRogue]

In the US the issue that will arise is one can go to bars / clubs & the other can't.

 

If they are both in uni, it's probably fine because they are at the same life stage. But once the older one graduates, the stress of that person being in the world while their SO is still in college will probably tear the relationship apart.

 

Does the same apply to 18/20 and 19/21

[d0nnivain]

Does the same apply to 18/20 and 19/21

 

Why wouldn't it?

 

Again look at how I defined the points of conflict: one can't go to a bar / club with the other and then later one is still in school while the other is working. It's the lifestyle differences not necessarily the ages differences that are the problem as long as the younger person is legally an adult over 18.

[stillafool]

I know when I was 18 I was interested in young men 3 to 5 years older than me; even though I started out dating a 16 year old.

[Michelle ma Belle]

Nope. You're officially an adult in the eyes of the government both in Canada and the USA.

 

Drinking might be a problem as drinking ages are older than 18 in North America but nothing predatory about this.