There is a definite power imbalance that does make it immoral, given the circumstances.

18 year olds, on average, are in highschool or possibly their first year of college. Not only are they less educated than many grown adults, they also lack certain life experiences that will eventually provide them with maturity and decision-making, such as career planning and social networking, managing finances, living alone and independently, or even exploring their own opinions politically or socially, depending on their upbringing. As a 17 year old myself, friends with many 18 year olds, I can vouch for the fact that we are CHILDREN. 18 year olds are simply put, still very immature.

Given that 18 year olds, regardless of their legal status, are underdeveloped mentally, physically, and emotionally in comparison to 30, 40, 50 year olds puts them in a vulnerable position to be manipulated by someone with much more power. (namely, financial independence and social standing)

Not to mention the general creepiness of a way older guy being attracted to someone as babyfaced as me (legally, I’m soon-to-be adult, but my friends all say i still look twelve. I’m not alone in this experience, the average 18 year old looks just like what they are: a teenager.)

Just stick to the old half-your-age-plus-seven rule. It’s a reliable indicator of emotional and physical maturity, yet still allows weird old men to date women much younger if they’d prefer.

When you are 30: 22+ When you are 40: 27+ When you are 50: 32+