[Dr. Sivana]

He seems to state as a 32 year old, he dated a 17 year old. Ew.

As a 27 year old I dated a 17 year old. As a 32 year old, I courted an 18 year old and married her when I was 34 and she was 19. Twenty years later, we are happily married with three children. I'm from New England originally, and she's Candaian.

No "Eeeews" from either family, or friends.

BTW, during the same period I also dated a 25 year old, a 27 year old and a 35 year old. My wife was more psychologically mature at 18 than the 35 year old and the 27 year old.

[Sam Gamgee]

I have no beef with that. Hell, I would loved to have dated a 17 year old when I was 32 for obvious reasons. (married a 29 year old when I was 30). Could just be me as I have always, maybe foolishly, had a hang up with dating girls much younger than myself. And glad you are happy.

Just saying by the standards of today it seems not so appropriate. But hardly much of a sexual scandal really, unless we believe the attempted rape charges from a couple of the accusers.

[Ohioan]

Thanks for injecting your common sense based experiences. The social history of the West is full of like experiences. The traditional South, in particular, has—since Colonial days—demonstrated a chaste, chivalric & protective, flirtation culture, where men of all ages celebrate the femininity of blossoming womanhood.