Does anyone think people are getting weird about age gaps?
I've noticed a cultural shift lately regarding age gaps in relationships. A few years ago, a guy would get complimented for pulling a young woman in her teens or early 20s, but now these same guys are called "creeps," or are shamed into being with someone their own age.
I'm seeing this pendulum swing hard on social media, most notably in public re-evaluations of past celebrity relationships. We went from respecting Leo for pulling models in their 20s, or Seinfeld for pulling this smokeshow at 17, to calling these same guys weird and creepy. People are starting to treat an attraction to young girls as some sort of twisted mental condition, instead of as a perfectly natural, healthy sexual preference for a man to have.
I'm afraid that this uptick in puritanism and moral outrage is heading us in the wrong direction. I consider it equivalent to the politically correct woke era of the 2010s, a new form of mind virus where a morally outraged mob hurls career-ending labels at people (now "pervert" or "pedo" in lieu of "racist") for voicing justifiable though taboo opinions.
It's usually the most outwardly puritan societies that are inwardly the most screwed up and unhealthy. Deeming a natural attraction to young girls "off-limits" will only make people more frustrated. Does anyone else feel we're going in the wrong direction? Ultimately, it's perfectly normal for men (and even some women) to like young, attractive individuals. And it's normal for teenagers and young men and women to be interested in sex. So what difference does it make if a teenager consents to a relationship with another 16-year-old versus a famous and handsome 30-year-old? Low-key wish we could be more like Europe on this topic and live and let live...
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Attractive guy in his late 20s dating early 20s girl isn't a problem, a ugly rich guy in his 40s dating a 18yo is
The WSO dataset doesn't directly address the cultural shift regarding age gaps in relationships or the societal reactions you've described. However, it does touch on related themes, such as the challenges of age dynamics in professional and personal settings. For instance, in finance and other industries, age gaps can create perceptions of awkwardness or lead to silent discrimination, as noted in discussions about career paths and leadership roles.
If you're looking for a broader cultural analysis or historical perspective on this topic, it might be worth exploring sociological or psychological studies outside the WSO framework.
Sources: Are you experienced? Thoughts on growing older, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/job-search/overseas-living-and-travel-or-mixed-cultural-background-how-to-market-that-in-an?customgpt=1, Over 30, still no undergrad, finance career options?, Have not dated in 3 years, 30 year old Male - Q&A, Intern complaining about sexism in the office
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