You've heard the saying "Age is nothing but a number." You've also heard young women dismissed as gold diggers when they date older men. Since dating has no written rules, which can be a good thing, we have to experiment and judge for ourselves.
Dating an older or younger guy can be a challenge. A lot of the time it's the remarks from those who disapprove (or don't understand) that make it so difficult. Like any relationship, if it's sincere and you're both committed to making an effort, it can work.
A strong connection is what keeps relationships going. With an age difference, you should make sure the connection is there early on and that both people feel it. A solely physical connection won't cut it. Make sure you each can understand where the other is in life. Some girls love dating older guys because they feel that guys their own age aren't mature enough.
Sometimes just liking each other isn't enough because you have different lifestyles. Make sure you're both committed to the relationship. If you're a senior in high school and he just graduated from college, make sure you can still relate to each other and know what you both want out of the relationship.
Keep in mind that huge age differences can present a variety of problems. Depending on your state, you may be under the age of consent — the age that legally determines how old you can be to agree to have sex. If you are sexually active or thinking about having sex, keep this in mind. In most states, the age of consent ranges from 16 to 18. For example, in New York the age of consent is 17. Be sure to check your state's sex laws.
You should steer away from huge age differences for other reasons as well. Do you really want to date someone who can relate more to your parents than to you? Think about it: Why would a 30-year-old want to date a teenager? We say, "Ew, gross!"
Get support from the people who mean the most to you. Don't wait until four months down the dating road to tell your parents you've been seeing a guy who's six years older than you. They'll feel like you snuck around behind their backs and you might lose their trust. Discuss it with them when you can really sit down and explain the relationship maturely. They might be hesitant at first, but once they know him and his intentions, they should be more open to the idea of your dating an older guy. Invite your guy over to get to know your parents so they can be assured he's a good catch.
If your friends are wary of your older or younger guy, make sure they know your intentions too. Invite your friends over to your house or out to dinner with you and your guy.
Ultimately, it's you who calls the shots on whom you date. Don't think that you need to convince everyone of your love. While support from your loved ones is important, don't dwell on every single remark you hear about the relationship — some people have nothing better to do than criticize. People connect with people of all sorts of ages for a variety of reasons. Don't think that you're supposed to be with someone your age. If you know the relationship is right (and legal), then stick with it.