I was wondering, what are the thoughts on this relationship? I’m not talking about sharking or anything predatory/misgonynistic. What if two people hit it off and one happens to be a senior and the other is a freshman? Is it frowned upon or normal? Are the maturity gaps/life stages too big?
It’s common. As you get older an age gap of three years becomes more and more meaningless. It is, however, possible that a senior may be at a different place as far as relationship goals/needs than a freshman. For example, though it seems less common these days, some 22/23 year olds want to get married and start a family soon while a freshman may not. This difference could make a relationship less viable.
It happens often. An older senior, a younger immature freshman makes for a particularly bad combo, and in some states might of concern for statutory reasons, but it’s part of life. Sadly, professorial and TA relationships sometimes take on a bad turn due to the power and stature the older person has over …a child.
I have always been relieved that my kids have stuck to relationships with those close to their ages. As the get older, the range widens. I wouldn’t be comfortable a 20 year spread now between one of my kids and a SO, but a lot of my peers seem just fine with that spread because as we age, it becomes less of an issue.
At younger ages, however, the age differences have the chance of a bigger impact.
It’s a big transition that a lot of us parents have difficulty grasping, that our kids are pretty much adults at 18( no beer allowed legally, but still…).
As long as it is a respectful, healthy relationship, I see no problem with it and the age gap at those ages.
@NorthernMom61 Is it really common? I hear people say maturity levels are too different
From what Ive seen, yes, it is common.
The age differences are not always that much. Some freshmen are older than the standard 18, gap year, late start in school, and some seniors are younger.
Yes, I think it is common. Maybe they don’t meet in the freshman dorm or intro classes, but often at activities/clubs of mutual interest.
@NorthernMom61 I see a lot of people on twitter call it predatory
Well you started the thread by saying you were talking non-predatory. I don’t think most seniors are predators. Don’t believe everything you read on Twitter.