Hasn’t it ever struck you as odd that in tabloids you see 30-year-old men go out with 18-year-old women? Doesn’t it make you feel uncomfortable? For far too long in Hollywood, we’ve seen rich and powerful men date significantly younger and impressionable women. Yet, over time, the fetishization of these relationships has grown - take for example Scott Disick, 38, and Amelia Gray Hamlin, 20. Some people may say that age is just a number and that they’re both legal consenting adults, but to put it into perspective, he was just graduating high school when she was born.

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The normalization of male dominating relationships (due to their age) has sparked controversy recently. Global pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, who recently turned 18, has been seen with Adam Faze, 24, and is rumored to be in a relationship with him. This is seen as normal and acceptable, however if a woman was significantly older than a man, she’s seen as a ‘cougar’ or the relationship is deemed ‘inappropriate’. For example, when Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas started dating, many were quick to question their relationship given that they have a 10-year age gap.

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The average age preference for men is much lower than that for women. Men typically peak to seek partners when they turn around 50, while women tend to seek partners around the age of 18. The preferred age range of a woman for men is between 24 to 27, while women tend so seek men around their age. One justification for older men and young women relationships is that older men may have more experience in terms of relationships and intimacy as well as being more established financially and career, which young women might find comforting and secure. One study showed that young women who are ready to find a partner tend to seek maturity, accomplishment, and responsibility, which is common in older men (read more about these studies at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474704917690401).

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Despite these studies, one cannot justify a significant age gap, especially when the younger female is barely legal, and no one focuses on the inappropriateness of the relationship. Young adults tend to be more impressionable and frequently are unable to sense manipulation when it comes to relationships with older partners, which is why it is much more important to voice out about this issue. Another example could be when actress Millie Bobby Brown was 16 -yes, 16 - and allegedly in a relationship with a 20-year-old man. This relationship went under the radar until he commented about Millie and posted pictures of them. He found various sexual comments about her amusing, while he is fully grown and aware of his actions.

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In conclusion, the normalization of older men and young women relationships in Hollywood has fueled a new generation to be unaware of the predation and security issues when it comes to relationships. By media focusing on these relationships, it fetishizes, rather than discourages, the attraction to older men for young girls and draws attention to young women for older men. The creation of this environment has led to toxic and manipulative relationships, which is why it is important for the new generation to be aware of and recognize these red flags.

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Written By: Vidhi Channa

Edited By: Ishani Patil

Designed By: Jiye Park

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