Divorced Dad, 43, Dating Teen Barely Older Than His Kids Dragged: 'Icky'

A middle-aged man is being blasted online for dating a teenager less than half his age.

The story was shared by Mumsnet user pleaserecycleme, after an uncomfortable dinner with her partner, his 43-year-old friend, and the latter's 18-year-old girlfriend.

A recent Ipsos poll found that the majority of Americans find big age-gap dating socially acceptable. However, their opinions differed when it came to gender. Some 71 percent believed it's ok for a man to date a woman 10 or more years younger than him, compared to 60 percent for women. Nearly 4 in 10 have previously dated someone with an age difference of 10+ years

However, a 2017 study published in the Journal of Population Economics indicated that marital satisfaction declines more quickly in big age-gap relationships than for couples of a similar age.

Initially, older men married to a younger woman reported a higher level of marital satisfaction, but the opposite was true for their wives. Overall, both men and women were the most satisfied with younger partners, and the least satisfied with older ones.

Researchers concluded that similarly aged couples are more resilient. Those close in age are more likely to have similar values, making it easier to work together and overcome obstacles, such as health or economic issues.

'Oh but You're Too Young'

In a post to the parenting site's relationship forum on August 21, the woman said the couple had been friends with the man for a few years and this was his first serious relationship since his last split.

"He is divorced, with kids aged 10-15," she wrote.

"He recently got a new girlfriend and contacted [my partner] wanting to meet us for a drink so he could introduce her."

However, when the pair arrived, she was shocked by the girl's age, describing her as a "very young looking 18-year-old."

"She seemed lovely, although seemed young for her age as well," she said.

The friend teaches sports and his new girlfriend was a student, with the pair meeting at a regional competition. The teen is in the middle of choosing which college to study at and is planning to attend one in her boyfriend's town. She currently lives 100 miles away with her family, but the poster said she suspected she will move in with the boyfriend and his two children.

The poster said she found the situation "unsettling," especially as her partner knew about the age gap all along and didn't tell her.

"[Partner] and friend kept making jokes about things she was too young to understand, then saying things like 'oh but you're too young' and then pointing out that I would understand them," she said.

"She didn't seem bothered by this but I found it uncomfortable and not impressed with [partner's] behaviour or friend's."

After returning home, the poster had a talk with her partner about her concerns, describing the age gap as "a bit icky."

"Surely there would be a power imbalance and in honesty I found it a bit difficult socialising with them," she said.

"He's dismissed what I said, saying 'as long as they're happy', which I can understand, but it still doesn't sit right with me.

"Our own children are mid teens and I pointed out he wouldn't be happy if in a couple of years one of them started dating a much older man and moved away to be with him."

The poster told her husband that she no longer wanted to hang out with their friend, but her partner accused her of "overreacting."

Mumsnet users seemed to agree with pleaserecycleme's "icky" evaluation of the relationship.

"Eww no of course you're not overreacting," said Candleabra.

"What a revolting man," agreed Scautish.

SizzlerFizzler called the man a "Creepy groomer," while HumourReplacementTherapy was troubled by the fact his new girlfriend is "3 years older than his eldest."

Exasperatednow commented: "Whilst technically she's an adult (in law) she has no life experience.

"I'd be wondering what's wrong [with] him if he can't hold down a relationship with [someone] nearer his age."

Feetache expressed concerns about the student-teacher relationship, writing: "The coach/player element rings massive alarm bells for me about how long it's been going on.

"Just No. The vast majority of adults would find this uncomfortable. Few parents of 18 year olds would be comfortable with it."

While breakuphelp warned the poster not to ignore her partner's own troubling behavior.

"Your [partner] and his friend are utterly revolting," she said. "No decent man would be jealous."

Newsweek was not able to verify the details of this case.