Ok, so one of the tricky things about Positive Sexuality is finding the right combination of age and maturity in one's partner so that they are compatible with you.
These issues are especially tricky for young people. Someone might be very sexually-mature, but not be of legal age to give consent (which varies WIDELY, from 12 to 20 years old, depending on the culture and time). In the US, 16 is the youngest and most common, but other states are 17 or 18 years old.
Then there are those who are "of age" but not mature enough yet to handle sex. AND THAT'S FINE! They are the ones who should and do abstain.
So making sure your partner is both ready and of-age is important, essential really. But it goes beyond just that. Are they the right combination for YOU, right now?
A huge age difference is not appropriate for teenagers, obviously. An 18 year old getting with a 13 year old will be arrested. But fast forward 5 years . . . no problem! In later years it's not uncommon to see a generation between partners. Fast-forward 10 years and that now-23 year-old can date a 48 year-old. But is that the best combination of age + maturity for either of them? Could be! It's not up to me or you to decide.
I will say though, that I have observed some challenges in relationships in which there are large gaps in either age or maturity or both between the partners. Some make it, but many end up broken up or together but unhappy. Know yourself, know what you need at a given time, but be realistic about the bigger picture. There's nothing wrong with enjoying Mr. Right Now while you're looking for Mr. Right. Just don't confuse the two.
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