It can be an exciting experience to become involved with a person who is several years older or younger than you. An older boyfriend or girlfriend might have access to things you don't: they might live on their own, drive a car and have incomes which lets them buy you nice things.
But when your partner is more 'experienced' than you, you might feel that going out with them comes with more expectations - like the expectation that you will have sex with them. Your lack of 'experience' might make you feel as if there is no real equality in the decisions you make together. You might find yourself deferring to the other person because they have more life experience than you, even when you're not entirely comfortable with the decision.
An older person who is with a younger person might also be more possessive than one in a relationship where both partners are equal in age and experience. Possession can be blatant or subtle: your partner may tell you what to wear, who you can spend time with, or check up on you all the time. This is not ok – a controlling relationship is not a healthy relationship. If you are in a controlling relationship, you probably need to ask yourself if this is the kind of relationship you want to be in.
Sex and the law
If you are involved in a relationship with someone much older or younger, remember that the legal age for having sex is 16 years. If you have sex with someone under the age of 16, then you are breaking the law.
Relationships
Dating 101
Not so straight
Ending relationships
Cheating/two timing
What if my heart gets broken?
Will someone ever love me?
Online romance
Going out with someone older or younger
One night stands and friends with benefits
Etiquette in the new millennium
Sex and the law
The art of the flirt
My parents don’t understand
