You're being defensive and looking too hard for something that's not there. I didn't say she can't make a decision. I said she's more vulnerable to manipulation in relationship with someone much older. I said that the healthy decision would be to not engage in that relationship. If anything, it's the 32 year old who should definitely not be making that decision. It's hard to understand the difference in mindset of someone older when you're not there yet, it's just one of those things that makes sense once you've experienced it yourself.

I didn't say she was being manipulated. I said that because she's more vulnerable, they shouldn't date. Moral guidelines exist outside of laws. And I never infantilized her.

It's not just an age difference, it's a huge maturity and life experience difference, which is being highlighted by the dysfunctionally immature behavior in the post. 8 years isn't a big deal when you're 30 and up but 24 is still a developing brain and so much more vulnerable to manipulation.

You can always bring a little candy or some beers to trade with the iffy people :)