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Can a relationship between a 25 year old guy and 17 year old girl work?

So my friend who's a girl met this guy and they started talking a lot and hanging out together. My friend told me that she really likes this guy and he likes her too. She said she could see herself in a relationship with him. That was until she found out he was 25 years old (she's only 17). He does look waaay younger than 25 and my friend said she thought he was around 19-20 years old. She keeps asking my advice on what I think she should do. Does age really matter or is it just a number? Can people with that much of an age difference have a successful relationship? What will her other friends/family think? This guy is still the same person that he's always been, she just didn't realize how old he was until later on. What do you think about this whole situation? I'm personally stuck and don't know what to think. Please help me out so I know what to tell her!

Public Comments

1. 25 is not old, but an adult cannot date a minor. That is the law. She will just have to be his friend until she turns 18. Then she can decide. Her parents will probably raise heck if they find out an adult is molesting thier child - and that's probably how they'll see it regardless of the truth. They could even press charges if there is any evidence that they have been together. Tell her she has to wait or things could get really ugly - and that wouldn't be giving the relationship much of a chance at all, would it? If he really likes her, he'll wait. If she really likes him, so will she.
2. First, check the state's law where you live. 17 may be legal to date an adult, but in some states you have to be 18 - so, this might be against the law. As for your questions: Does age really matter or is it just a number? It depends. If the ages were 25 and 32, then age is just a number. Both people are out of school and settled into a career. In most cases, they both have the same ideals regarding marriage, children, etc. At 17 and 25, you might run into some issues. The 17 year old is getting ready to start college. A whole new set of people and experiences than high school. The 25 year old, on the other hand, is more than likely out of college and starting (or has started) a career path. He's probably also thinking about settling down and starting a family - where the 17 year old is more than likely thinking about having fun. Can people with that much of an age difference have a successful relationship? Yes, but it takes hard work like any other relationship. What will her other friends/family think? More than likely, they'll have (what they consider to be) her best interest in mind. Most will want her to be happy, but I'm sure there'll be concern about her getting hurt.