I am 18 years old, how old is too old for me to date?

Question

Ever since I was about 16, I have always had older men pay more attention to me than people my own age. I have never dated anyone my own age. The closest to my age was 20 when I was 17. Lately when I go out, the only people who want to talk to me are in their late 20s and early 30s. I love the attention, but my sisters have started to warn me of the dangers of older men. So, what should my limit be, and am I making a mistake talking to the older guys?

Answer 1

Date people who are kind and respectful. Don't worry what others have to say.

However, you should consider dating people around your age. Women tend to out live men so if you marry someone much older than you then you will likely end up living along when you are old, or having to remarry.

Answer 2

Your sisters are very smart. If you date an older guy you might wind up dead. Find some girl fiends your own age and seek and find someone your own age. You can always ask to see his id. If he says no-dump him. It's always
better to be friends, good friends, and then best friends with a guy before having a really
serious relationship. If I guy can't be a best friend- he's not worth having as a friend period.
Remember double dates and group dates are
safer when learning how the guy reacts to different situations. Have some quiet time and ask " How do you feel about" "What would you do if" etc. GO SLOW, you'll be better off. If you
are 18, I would recommend 19-22. if you already know him maybe up to 24. Don't be giving out too many free samples, or you will
become labeled for life. look for someone who has a brain and will make something out of himself. Don't get involved with a mama's boy or
a loser. If you want the finer things in life, you will find him eventually. Good Luck.

Answer 3

I would really stay at the 25yrs old and below range. At the most 10 years difference, until your at least 30. It depends on how mature you are (as far as being ready for a serious relationship). I would tend to stay closer to my own age because it's easier to form a bond and have things in common. Honestly, if older men having been paying for you and showing interest since you were 16, they mainly just think your attractive and thats all they want. If you don't want anything serious then do what makes you happy, and not what others think.

Answer 4

I think it depends on your maturity level and what you want out of a boyfriend. I would generalize that most good guys in their late 20s and 30s are getting ready to settle down. Is that what you want at age 18? Also, no offense to you, I'm sure you are a great girl, but what would a good guy of that age really want with a kid right out of high school. I do not mean any disrespect, but you have so much more to experience, I would be very leary of a guy over 25. I think you would be ok dating guys under 25. Of course this is merely my opinion. I was worried when my 17 year old cousin was dating a 21 year old. But the difference was she was still in school. Instead of thinking in terms of age, maybe think in terms of "place on the journey of life" for example:

14-17 In school, learning about romance, having fun
18-22 In college, partying having fun, dating for fun (some may find lifetime mates)
22-26 Trying to find their place in the world, establishing a career, maybe thinking of settling down a little

Now obviously these are generalizations. My boyfriend is 26, still working his way through college, deciding what to do with his life. (I'm 27) But my cousin (male) is 27 and married already.
Trust your gut.

Answer 5

I think your limit should be 25. Honestly, old guys are horny and lots of them are just looking for something young. Even if you guys seem to click (many say I have an old soul and I tend to like more mature men too), just stay friends eh? If they really like you, then they would settle for being friends. Many ppl say age is nothing but a number but sorry it does matter. Or else you'd see 70 year olds and 14 year olds together. Age represents maturity, experience, and body type. If you have a mature mind, go out with someone your own age that also has a mature mind. I'm sure there are plenty. You just have to spend more time lookin. Good luck.

Answer 6

You WILL have to watch out for people who want to take advantage of you. I am 18 and a lot of older men pay attention to me, but my boyfriend is 21. I dont really like the attention from much older men. 25 would be the absolute oldest guy i would date. Any older would just not be compatible for me.

I say consider it thoroughly and whether it would work for your life in the long run.

Answer 7

At your age, you probably should not date anyone over about 25. Guys over 25 may start thinking about marriage, family, etc. and at 18 I am guessing that you probably are not ready for that. Any older than 25, and they may already have had other relationships, other kids, ex-wives, etc. and you are still young and don't need that kind of baggage yet. We all acquire a little baggage as we get older, but at least try to start off with a guy that doesn't have any, so you can learn and grow together. Good luck :)

Answer 8

In my experience it isn't the age of the man that matters. It is the age of the woman. Let me explain. My last girlfriend was 10 years younger than I. My wife is 15 years younger than I. I was married before and had a family. I didn't want to start another family. When both of these women reach age 30, their outlooks on life changed. They wanted to have children of their own.

So it isn't so much a difference in age as it is a difference in what you want out of life. Age is just a number.

Another point that I'm sure you've already realized, older men have more money!

Answer 9

Whatever works for you. Older guys are more established and bring more to the table. They are men, not boys.
Looks in women is equal to money in men so you have value to them.
Problems are that in the long term you may not have much in common or your equality will never be the same in a relationship as with a guy more your age. Father figure kind of thing.

Answer 10

22