the age of consent is 14 in Canada, but with a 40 year old it's not! lol between 13 to 18, you're allowed 2 years difference for it to be okay, and the older person can't be in a position of superiority (I can't quite explain it right, like let's say it was your soccer coach, teacher or something of the sort). It gets a little ambiguous between 19 and 17... I think you're allowed though.

The 14 limit means you can get birth control or advice on sex without your parents being notified. And anyway, the norm in Canada for having sex the first time is around 14-15, so it kind of makes sense on some level.

I don't think that age should be a factor in a relationship if you are a legal adult. It cause less problems in a relationship. I am 19 and with a 31 yr. old. We have a better relationship than most couples in my opinion because our maturity levels are pretty much the same. Women mature a lot quicker than men, therefore if I have a maturity level of a 24 yr. old and he has a maturity level of a 27 yr. old then we are developed mentally for each other. Whether your relationship is based on sex or other things, age shouldn't be a factor in who you chose to be comfortable spending your life with.

Personally, I don't see age being a huge issue. My rule of thumb is if he is younger than my dad he is fair game. Then again i'm 18 w/ a 34yr old.

Completely wrong! In many states the 22 year old would be guilty of statutory rape whether or not the 15 year old consented... the basic priniciple of the law being a 15 year old is not capable (qualified in terms of maturity) to give consent.

Love knows no barriers... but the expression of it is an entirely different matter.

Yea I think as long as both partners are of age (like past 18)... then a 10 even 20 year gap isn't bad.
Now 22 and 15... I dont care how "mature" girls are looking now at 15.. thats still a kid w/ a 22 yr old guy.. kinda creepy on his part.
Sorry to offend =\ but yea.

The maturity levels between a 16 yo and a 20 yo are usually significant. At some point, the maturity level difference narrows to become irrelevant. A 16 yo with a 26 yo is grossly inappropriate; a 30 yo and a 50 yo is simply their business. It does not matter which sex is which or whether they are the same, the older we become the more similar our maturity levels.

UNFORTUNATELY in Canada the age for consensual sex is 14 yrs old!!....yes...14 yrs old...the opposition parties have been trying to get this lifted to at least 16yrs old...so in Canada you could have a 40yr perv legally servicing a 14 yr old...sorry but PATHETIC...

I understand your point as to what is legal. I am looking at what is socially supportable. 14, my god, I thought Canadians were housebroken and I even lived there for a couple years! On the other hand, I spent much of that time among the indigenous population and there were marriages that included 14 yo.

Here is my rule of thumb on the matter:

Less than 14--same age
14--18 one year
19--21 two years
22--28 three years
29--40 five years
40--60 ten years
60--70 fifteen years
70--+ twenty years

My chart is based on both maturity levels as Brandye mentioned and life experiences and interests or being on the same page so to speak.

If you are both of age, then age shouldn't matter.

I am with someone who is nearly 20 years older than me and I could care less. He could care less. We get along great. Our relationship is based on sex but we were friends first and are still friends and still get along great. Age is nothing but a number to us.

But if neither of you are of age, or one is and one isn't, I wouldn't cross that boundary. Dating is one thing. Sex is another.

Of course, that being said, I wouldn't be 40 and go out/have sex with a 16 year old, even if it was legal.

But, in the end, what really matters is what matters to you. If you're both adults, then so what. If you want to be with someone 30 years older than you, that's your business. People will always frown upon age differences.

once you hit 18 anything's fair game at your age range and above, and when you're 18 or 19, you can go one or two years below you, but even that's pushing it. but considering the law's the only really solid base for the matter, it's technically not unacceptable to have 18 yr olds with 70 yr olds (you go, mr hefner). but while you're still maturing, you should really stick to someone of your general age level. 22-15 is borderline pedophilia.

May not be necessary, but I do want to clarify... I was merely addressing the specific example that included 15/22 and sex. I might also have pointed out that in some states the difference in age is a factor... can't remember the specifics, but if there's more that x years age difference it's considered rape pure and simple, no plea bargaining, etc.

That aside, good relationships need not know any bounds of age. Unfortunately, society continues to wrestle with what it considers "the exceptions." Given there are a lot people the same ages in horrible relationships that are destructive, I'm not sure why "we" object to two people who are vastly different in age being in love and happy! Relationships are about love and relationship skills - or at least they should be!

i think 15 with a 22 yr old is out of the question. a mate of mine knows a 22 yr old going out with a 13 yr old, it isnt right in my opinion. i also believe that they dont see it as "love" they just believe it to be that. in cases i know of they is just trying to be cool because they have the older bf/gf. the elder 1 being in it just for sex.

me personally would be 1 yr younger to 2/3 yrs older. but if they is younger they have to have the maturity of an older age

im just now 19 and my girlfriend is 16, we have been together for almost 2 years and i couldnt be happier. i look at it this way when im 20-21 she will be 18 and i dont think there is anything wrong with that. i mean 2 1/2 years isnt anything and she is very very mature

thats good bob :)

wait...13 year old hooked up with a 22?!?!?!

WHO!?!?!

thats a little...damn!

I'd have to agree with a combination of Wally and Dancing Doc on this one.

I understand this argument holds no truth, but based on my observations it seems the reason why women of my age (22-24) like dating men who are 10-15+ years older is simply money...er..."security". I think it's absolute crap that a 30 year old man (who always seems to have gone through a divorce already) is always more mature than another man my age. I know of men who are almost 50 but they act like 13 year olds most of the time. I think there's just as much of a chance of finding a mature man your own age, at 22-24, then there is at 30+. And the 22-24 year old is less likely to have baggage. (kids, divorce, etc...)

Ever notice how it's always a young girl dating an older man and not the other way around? Why is this? By this standard I should be dating a 30 year old. I've always been mature for my age. So why isn't that a big bonus for me? Women my age don't seem to care that I'm more mature than average for my age. But they still have to problems dating a 30 year old who has more money than I do, because I'm a broke student.

Also it seems like its mostly women who are under the legal drinking age limits who are the most likely to find men much older then them. Any reason for this?

Again this is only my gut feeling. I have no proof for what I've just claimed...

You know, far more than enough of us could care less about money. Some of us just happen to like older men. I like older men. I don't care for people my age. It's preference. It has nothing to do with "money" or "security". Maybe that's a reason why some of us don't date people our own age.. because they seem to think that we're just out there for the "money"... oh wait, I mean "security". You know, you lose certain frame of minds, you might learn some things.

/being annoyed

:o

I knew I'd open a can of worms with that one. Hey thats my opinion. So just a question, I'm not trying to add gas to the flames but...

Why do you like older men? Women who date older men always say "I just like older men", but never say why. (even women who are in their 30's). So in the case of a woman being older herself, why would she like a much older man? Or just in any case why?

I mean... I don't like squash (the vegetable) but I don't like it because I think it smells awful, and has really bad texture.

But for the age thing its always:

"I don't care for people my age. It's preference."

Why?

Like I said, just a question. I'm not here to pick fights.

Im a 16 year old and my boyfriend is turning 21 this yearm is this generally acceptable?

i'm 16 as well and my boyfriend is 20 and we are officially 3 years and 10 months apart but we are mentally on very similar levels. I've had to "grow up fast" to survive in my world as I kow it and he is rather a few years behind in his maturing but we have no problems understanding that it is for others a big gap and we have to play it safe. Many people including my parents don't believe that girls at 16 are capable of being in love with someone on the level where it isn't about sex but I love my boyfriend and he has told me multiple times he'd wait till i was 24 and out of college before having sex with me. its really sweet of him and i appreciate the fact that he is one of those men that really respects women in general. He won't push me and hell most of the time i'm the initiator of everything we do.:p