I have a serious question relating to a particular phenomenon I have noticed whenever the "age" issue comes up. We've had a lot of threads about age differences in the year that I've been here, and this one point puzzles me.

A lot of people will say: "Age is just a number." OK, that makes sense to me, and that's my own personal philosophy.

But then there are others who say: "Age is just a number, but I wouldn't date anyone as young as my kids."

Or: "Age is just a number but I wouldn't date anyone as old as my dad."

This seems like a contradiction to me. Because, if age is just a number, then aren't the ages of your kids or your mom or your dad just numbers too?

Or is there some sort of subliminal taboo that kicks in, some sort of "projection," whereby a person dating someone young enough to be their own child, or old enough to be their own parent, has subconscious thoughts that this is essentially the same AS dating their own child or parent?

It makes no sense to me -- the concept that "because person A is the same age as person B (who is related to me in some way), I cannot date person A" -- but maybe that's just because I never had kids, and my parents have been dead for a long time. I don't know.

When I see people make these statements in the forums, they always seem to come across more as a "Ewwwwwwwwww!" reflex than as a considered and thought-out position.

Just wondering how others would see this....

hmmm wierd but i think age is just a number b.c i look for personality and it has to be legal!!!

oops i got button happy lol

It would take an exceptional person to date someone I am old enough to parent or they are old enough to parent me. However.. it takes an exceptional person who is my age too.

I think as long as your not breaking any laws and they are of age then its all about the person.

I think age matters A LOT and anyone who says differently is just being a hypocrite. You say age is JUST a number yet you wouldn't date someone your son or fathers age so hmm is age really just a number? No people use the parent/kid age as an excuse so people don't think they discriminate by age. I think age matters a lot sorry i'm not dating a 30 year old (and not because that is my mothers age she is 50) nor am I gonna date someone 16 or younger because those are my standards and I think everyone has them despite what they say.

Half your age plus 7 is the general rule. I'm in a new division so it's half my age minus 7.

Depends on the dynamic present. There really aren't that many that are extreme on the age difference. I was suprised to hear that Stacy Peterson was what 26 and her man is 56. That's some age difference.

Sugga Daddy?

Lex,

Age is a number, but I wouldn't date someone that was the age of my kids for serveral reasons. Maturity level being the big thing. Younger people think about partying all the time and not about the real world where they have to work and pay bills.

Just the ramblings of an old Jarhead

Age is not what matters it is the chemistry between two people.

well put william, i date someone a lot younger than me, sure it becomes an issue here and there but doesnt unconditional love win out?

I go back and forth with the age thing ... the man I do date is 6 yrs. younger than myself. Don't really know if I'd go any younger.

I disagree with the guy who said about younger people partying and not caring about bills. I give my mother rent every month, pay my phone bill, and pay my car insurance always on time. I don't "party", I have a job so I can pay my bills and help out my family. I think that was an unfair generalization of young people. I'm only 19 and I still always give what I can to my family for financial help (like I paid the water bill because my grandpa is down on his luck).

As anything, I think there has to be a balance. Of course, if your kids are 7 & 10 that's an obvious one..lol. Seriously though, I don't think age is that important, but still can be a minor issue. However it falls in the category of "to each their own", if it works for you that's best;^]

Myself I don't think age is a problem, my ex was 20 years younger then me....It was not the age gap that split us up ! we got on great....I was just away working to much.

This age thing seems to be on the whole a western world thing !
in many countries age is wisdom and thats what the ladies go for

jarhead you need to revisit your views...i am probably in your category as what you say as young....i do not party....i pay my own bills...i support 2 kids....my husband died i dont get any assistance and for some reason im not out there without a light in the dark....you are categorizing all young people and this is not the thing to do....i am young and responsible...it all depends on the integrity and determination that a person has in them whether they pay their bills and party too much or not....i know "jarheads" who dont pay their bills and party too much and theyre ready for the retirement home....they come in all ages brother....think about it

let me step down off my stool and say age is only in the eye of the beholder....as long as they're of legal age....the skys the limit in my book

Still on the age thing, It seems to be a good thing for a woman to have a "Toy Boy" younger the better I think, But not for the guy to have a younger woman.

maybe it's just people my age, but girls don't seem to like younger guys and guys love younger girls. maybe it changes as you age

My last thing on the subject.......Any "toy girls" out there..

I am just speaking of my experiences is all my views are mine alone and not those of others.