Is a 24 year old dating an 18 year old weird?

As a gamer who has seen age dynamics play out in competitive environments, this is a relationship I’d view as outside the norms, but not altogether inappropriate. While some may see the 6 year age gap as unusual, such an arrangement is legal and could work perfectly well depending on maturity, expectations, and life plans. Still, let’s level with some considerations.

Legally in the Clear

Age of consent laws make it clear: an 18 year old can legally date a 24 year old in most regions. Certain states may have more nuanced rulings around minors and adults, but these two ages fall safely within standard laws. For reference, age of consent in major states:

So legally speaking, this age dynamic won’t turn heads.

Maturity & Brain Development

Maturity levels also hold some sway. According to behavioral studies, age impacts maturity and decision-making:

• 18 year old brains still developing complex judgment (prefrontal cortex)
• 24 year old brains nearly fully developed
• Men’s prefrontal cortex matures around age 25

This indicates your average 24 year old operates with better logic and life experience.

Life Stage Differences

We must also consider life stages. Western culture views stages differently:

• 18: Leaving home for college or first jobs
• 24: Potentially finishing higher education and establishing careers

With your 18 year old just entering adulthood, and your 24 year old gaining independence, discrepancies in maturity and experience may strain the relationship over time.

Uneven Power Dynamics

The gap indicates higher independence and financial stability for your older partner. Combine this with more life experience, and manipulative behaviors could emerge. Not always, but often enough to warrant consideration according to sociologists.

Evolution Says Go For It!

Yet biologically, some age gaps benefit healthy reproduction according to evolutionary psychology:

• Men maximize fertility pairing with younger women
• Women gain support pairing with older, more established men

So our ancestors wouldn’t have batted an eye at this setup!

Culturally Accepted…Mostly

Nowadays, cultural norms determine age gap acceptance more than biology. Relationship expert Hellen Fisher told Bustle:

"Couples with a 0-3 year age gap had the highest satisfaction rates"

Beyond this range, stability declined. But up to to 10 years remained within the threshold of social acceptance according to our attitudes.

The well known “half your age plus seven” rule also approves this age dynamic, requiring your older partner‘s age to be at least 19 based on the calculation.

So society gives this age gap an overall tepid green light. You might raise eyebrows, but face no scarlet letters.

Stability & Success Varies

With age gaps, couples report higher instances of relational instability and divorce. However, celebrity examples demonstrate enduring success despite age differences:

• George & Amal Clooney: 17 years
• Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively: 11 years

Alec Baldwin & Hilaria: 26 years!

The key is shared life vision and maturity levels, not strictly age.

So can it work? Absolutely – assuming both individuals prove compatible despite curveballs surrounding experience gaps.