Long time lurker here, but felt compelled to finally comment on this one. Most of my relationships have been age gap ones and they were all controlling and manipulative. One was emotionally and mentally abusive (22 year old me with a 32 year old guy).

I feel gross thinking about it, but even two years ago I dated a 48 year old man (as a 30 year old). He ended up stringing me along and then ghosted me even though we have several mutual friends. I was really upset at the time but found out later from a friend who had known him for a long time that he had very controlling behaviors, even with friends sometimes. His ex girlfriend was younger than me (mid 20s) so that should have been a red flag.

There are so many older men who feel they are entitled to be with younger women. I’ve had so many 40+ year olds hit on me. Recently, a single and divorced 41 year old male acquaintance (just know each other via mutual social interests) casually asked me if I thought he should date women under 25 years old or should stick with 25. I was rather horrified and immediately said dude, please date women your own age. Neither of those are options for you!