In relationships; should age matter?

Yes.

I agree that you are in different stages of your life. As far as if you should be in a relationship or not, it really depends on the two of you. Ten years from now, when you are 27 and he is 34, it really won’t seem to be as big of a difference as it is now.

if the man is 24 , he might be looking for more than you are as you are only 17 and still young and looking for fun , he might be starting to think about settling down so you have to consider things like this but at the end of the day you can’t help who you fall for and if its meant to be it will work out

As a parent, I agree with yours. Teenage years are growth years. A 24-year-old has finished growing, but he’s not finished maturing.

@Seaofclouds said it very well. Give yourself 10 years. If you two still feel the same about each other at that time, then move forward with the relationship. For now, don’t.

You’re a teenager so I think it’s only natural that you’re parents are worried about you in a relationship with someone who is 7 years your senior. One thing to consider is your maturity level and if it is at a level that you’re able to find things in common and relate to someone who is 24 years old. Carefully consider just how well you mesh together and consider advice already given her by other Jellies about waiting a few years before delving into a significant relationship.

At your age, it probably does matter. Sorry. Maybe it could work, but just in terms of what is likely going on in both of your lives you’re not likely in the same place. People often change a lot between 17–22. At the very least, I would be wary and not get your hopes up.

I am 26 and when I think about dating a 17 year old it makes me feel like a pedophile.

As people get older, age is less and less relevant in relationships. However, like @hawaii_jake said, teenage years are growth years. I can guarantee that you’ll feel differently about a lot of things once you’re 24.

17 and 24 are a world apart, in my opinion. 17-year-olds are usually still in high school, living with their parents. 24-year-olds are often finished with college and looking to establish a career, and living on their own. He can legally smoke, drink, serve in the military, buy porn, and you can’t. That alone makes for different lifestyles which don’t mesh.

When I was 16, I dated a guy who was 5 years older. It didn’t work for all of the reasons I mentioned, and for all the reasons that others have mentioned. I wish I had listened to my parents.

@Seelix has it exactly right.

I’m sure it seems very exciting for you to be dating a 24 year old (and yeah, yeah, you’re much more mature for your age than most 17 year olds right? They all are! Ha ha)

But my question is (other than the obvious sexual attraction) what the heck does a 24 year old grown man have in common with a teenager?

So the answer to the question “Does Age Matter?” Yes, but only when there is a huge disparity in maturity levels. People make a lot of changes in their lives between 17 and 24. When the youngest one of you (that would be you) gets to be about 30, the numbers don’t mean as much. So if this guy is still around and still intersted in you when you’re 30 or even 25 (although I think 30 is better because of the large age difference) then the age thing probably won’t matter at all.

Your parents are probably worried that your man-friend is mostly interested in you for sex, which is probably true. Ask your boyfriend if he would be willing to date for a few years without having sex (simply courting you like men did back in the old days when they wanted to marry someone) and see what he says.

I am a virgin and dont plan to have sex until im mzrried

you have good morals , stick to them dont let pressure let your guard down

@LanaEvelynTravers That is good news. I hope that doesn’t mean that you are planning to get married too young, though, before you’ve finished your schooling and lived a little and learned about life and yourself and men and everything else.

You may end up changing your mind about remaining a virgin until you are married. If you do, please make sure that you are completely educated about birth control and don’t let any man talk you into anything that you don’t want to do or are not ready for. Make it known to anyone that you date that you plan to remain a virgin until you get married. It will scare off a lot of men, but some of the good ones will stick around because of it. Good luck to you : )

You are a virgin and plan to stay that way until you get married. It’s very likely that 24 year old man is not a virgin. Your parents understand that since the 24 year old is probably more sexually experienced, he may very likely want sex from you and will pressure you into doing it. Your parents know that someone your age should be dating someone close in age.

Like others have said, when you are 40 and the person is 50, age will not be such a big deal. However, 17 dating a 24 year old is a big deal. I would not want my 17 year old daughter dating someone 7 years older than she. If you were 15 would you think it acceptable to date a 22 year old? It’s the same thing.

Is the 24 year old going to want to hang around with your friends or go to parties with your friends? Probably not. Are you then going to stay away from your friends when you’re with him? Are your friends’ parents going to find it ok that a 24 year old is coming around to hang around with their kids? They will very likely look askance at him.

I recommend you find someone more in your social circle.

No, age does not matter. What does matter is maturity and experience. Your parents are probably a good source of your maturity level.

17 and 24 are a world apart, assuming you are still in high school. I don’t expect you to have a full grasp of why, because you are 17, but the 24 year old guy should know exactly why, unless he is very immature.

About sex. I don’t see any problem with you wanting to wait until you are married, but let me say this…most adults do engage in sex in relationships. Waiting until you are maried gets less realistic in a society where most people do not get married until their 20’s and 30’s. It is likely he will expect to have sex with you, unless you are both extremely religious (then I fear you will get married before you are ready). Or, he might be very possesive and like younger girls he can control, will be fine waiting to have sex with you, but have sex with other women. Or, he might genuinely be a great guy, you never know? Or, you might wind up having sex with him if you date him.

I left school almost 2 years ago , I feel guys my age are experimenting and would not understand waiting but meeting someone older would be mature enough to understand waiting, thanks everyone for you answers:) that being said I feel its best I do break up with this guy its probely for the best

@LanaEvelynTravers Well, being out of school can definitely make a difference. Generally when we are young we are our grade more than our age. I finished hih scool at 16, started college a few days after my 17th birthday. I never felt I was socially behind my grade, but since I was young, some people are surprised to hear what I did say at age 15, but not when I tell them I was in 11th grade.

Is there any way you can go back to school? Is there a school that you can tolerate? I think that at your age, it would be best to prepare yourself with the skills that will help you be more comfortable. Leaving school at 15 and taking up with someone 7 years older than you are can be a sign of great instability in a person’s life. If that is the case, turning your focus from a relationship back to preparing yourself for life will provide the most stability. It will take a lot of work. I think that in a decade or two, you will be very glad you chose to focus on acquiring knowledge and skills.

Wait until you are 21. He will be 28 and then go for it. Right now is a bad time for you, because of your age.

This year, yes. In six years time, not so much. As you get older, an age-gap becomes less significant.

If he is a 24 yr old behaving like a 17 yr old you 2 will get on nicely. Pay no attnetion to the parents who are so clueless.

I personally do not believe age difference matters, even in your case. True many people are in different areas of their life from 17–24…. But by the same token I have met some SIXTEEN year olds who are far more mature in every way than 25 year olds.

Maturity is the key. If you have it (and him) then frankly I see no problem with it. Besides its not like dating him is committing yourself to marrying him or doing drugs with him or something. You can always change your mind later if its not working.

My boyfriend and I are 20 years apart in age but, in our case, age is definitely just a number. It is not an issue at all. I understand how a large age gap could be a problem for other couples though and so I think each relationship is unique.