https://www.smbc-comics.com/comic/2009-04-07

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I know this is a comic but everytime I see this kind of joke it makes me feel so depressed and alone like I'm the only guy who finds the idea of dating women more than 2-3 years below my age repulsive.

"They died out mysteriously for no reason" 🤣

TBF, this comic doesn't take into account the historical likelihood that a large number of these women would opt for non-male partners.

Also, take heart: you're not the only one by far! Statistically, your moral preference's only unusual if you aren't famous. So, be proud of your lack of fame! You're among real people! 🧏🏼‍♂️

When I was 23 I briefly dated an 18 year old. Very quickly it went from, "hell yeah, 18yo tail," to, "Holy shit, she's still a child I need to end this."

But it's really about the maturity level, not the number. At 28 I met my wife who is also 5 years younger, but her maturity level is on par with mine.

The "divide by two, then add seven" rule I find is surprisingly accurate for finding the extreme, but yeah I've only ever dated people essentially my same age so even that rule of thumb is more theory than practice.

Thank you, this does genuinely help. I think it's because I'm online a lot I constantly see these dickheads bragging about how young they date which makes me sick and then posts and articles written by women about their SA experiences and it makes me ashamed to be the same gender as those perpetrators.

It makes me long for death because I've just had enough seeing this stuff: I'm trying to balance information hygiene and being informed but it just feels impossible to find that balance.

Sorry for moaning, just had to let it out.

My guess is buddy is in his early 20s, where 2-3 years is a pretty big difference.

I feel ya, truly. I'm doing much the same and had one of the hardest, most challenging, and darkest years of my life recently (w/ bonus houselessness), and I'm taking my digital hygiene even more seriously these days. I know at least some of what failing to do so can lead to.

After all, self-care is caring for others, by extension. Be kind to you. Everyone benefits. FWIW, my filter list is quite long at this point, and I don't miss the daily deluge one bit, frankly. I still feel like I should be socializing more IRL, but I'm getting there. No rush. The pup & I come first for now. 🥰

That said, with all the options available these days, maybe you'll find that you don't actually identify with the cishet template. I mean, even just educating yourself on those concepts could broaden your compassion's scope, and maybe you'll find answers to questions you didn't know you were asking. Either way, worth a rabbithole or three, I always say! 🖖🏼