VinnyCapistrano t1_iuislkx wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:25 PM

The problem with age gap relationships is the power, knowledge, and experience imbalance that exists between the older and younger partner. A person should be able to get their adult life started without it being tampered or meddled with by somebody who may not have their partner's best interest at heart.

By the time you're in your late 20s, you should have the knowledge and life experience to be able to look out for your own best interests, plus you hopefully should be in a position where you're financially independent and have a strong support group of friends and family to fall back on if needed.

You're fine. The age gap might be weird, but the possibility of it being damaging or problematic isn't as big of an issue at your age.

Slow_Ad_2828 t1_iuit7aj wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:29 PM

I know that my relationship is healthy for many reasons. (he has actually encouraged me to advance my career and be independent). I just worry about potential backlash from third parties.

Covert_Pudding t1_iuiur9v wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:39 PM

Mostly people won't judge your relationship as long as your relationship isn't obviously, to a 3rd party perspective, suffering from an unaddressed power imbalance.

If your partner is immature or left a relationship with someone in his age group to be with you, or never dates women his own age, he might get criticized for that too.

There are always outsiders who will judge a relationship. They aren't worth listening to, usually, as long as you keep your eyes open to the potential pitfalls yourself and steer clear of them.

SkyueQuox t1_iuiuvg0 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:40 PM

Stop caring about what other people think, it is your partner who is supposed to treat you right not third parties.

gleepgloopgleepgloop t1_iuivijz wrote on October 31, 2022 at 5:44 PM

Younger people are often attracted to older people because of the power, common knowledge, and experience that the older people may have. It offers considerable growth potential and access to resources that a younger person may not have.

Both parties potentially have resources desired by the other. I believe that a younger person is just as likely to use an older person as the older person is to try and use the younger person. That said, I believe the vast majority of older people have no interest in grooming or meddling and younger people have no interest in manipulating older people to get gifts, trips, etc.

As far as I'm concerned, anyone in their twenties has the agency and wherewithal to choose partners wisely.