Guys, how young is too young in terms of dating?

It depends on the guys age. I would encourage more than a couple of years..
But as for 18 year old girls dating.. In Australia, 18 is 'adult' so yeah, most girls are dating by then.

im 34, partner is 26.

+ or - about 5 years for me gives a decent age range that more than likey ill have somthing in common with the person.

I'm going to assume its regarding serious relationship rather than just a one-night stand thing.

For me, age is just a number but at the same time its not also. I am currently 28 and my ex that broke up with me in Jan was 22. She was more mature than most 30 years old I've dated and thats what I go for. I like to date MATURE minded girls. Ofcourse theres the whole being young and having the youthfulness but that shouldnt excuse you from doing dumb stuff.

But then age does become a factor. When I was 19, I dated a 35ish old year woman for a month or so. It was fun and I think in alot of ways it helped me grow as a man but in the end...I was just a kid. I mean, she had kids of her own and no matter how mature of a person I was, there were just things that her and I couldn't see eye to eye because of age difference

I personally think it's blind and a little silly to say no outwright. It depends on the two people involved and how much they have in common. I would only date someone that I got on well with as a friend; befriend them first and date them later. Maybe that's old fashioned but for me it's one partner for life and I'd rather get it right first time - so age isn't really that important.

I completely agree with Paul. In my opinion when you meet the right person you will fall in love with them and not even consider their age or their looks, that's all superficial. My friend is 32 and is married to a 58 year old man, and most people who don't know them always gasp, but they have a lovely marriage and 2 lovely little boys and their relationship is a lot closer and more cherished than some other people I know who married because it was expected and perhaps didn't wait for the right person to come along. They fought it for a while, Martin was insistent my friend should find someone her own age but they had so much in common, they're like soulmates so they followed their hearts in the end, and they're both so happy now.

I have tried internet dating before and probably would do again, just to meet new people and see if anything comes from any of the friendships, but I would never go looking for an "instant boyfriend" as you can't make that sort of thing happen, it occurs naturally. I would like someone with humour and wit, a nice smile and someone who will accept me and love me for all that I am. Perhaps I'm living in fairytale world, but I still believe that it will happen one day. I would never rule out someone just for their age.

I'm 35 in 3 weeks... my fella is 27.
I was 30 when we got together and he had just turned 23.

I wouldn't swap him for the world. The age difference doesn't even get acknowledged.

Definitely down to the individual I say.

N'aww that's lovely :flowerforyou: Someone I work with is 27 and her boyfriend is 20. His family object very strongly and make her feel very unwelcome when they see her but despite this they're still going out after 12 months. Sometimes it is just true love and soul mates and like you said, age doesn't come into it.

Legally? `17 is too young; Dead is too old.

Beyond that I don't see how you can set definite boundaries. If you have common interests, common goals, etc., I'd refrain from drawing lines in the sand.

Having said that, the perfect age for the woman I date is 49. In September it'll be 50.

Doesn't matter, it's about the girl i think.

When I was 19, my boyfriend was 34. I had always said I wouldn't date older than 10 years my senior and then I met him.

I think ultimately, people say what they would and wouldn't do but it all goes out the window when they meet someone they like. I have been a single mother since I was 17. I have dated several men over the years who at one point said they would never date a single mother.

Oh, and I have friends who are married: She's 31 and he just turned 60.

I dated men in their thirties when I was 18. I can't say it was the best experience. My husband is two years older than I am. It works out.