Lately I've started to notice a lot of age discrimination, surprisingly from liberal types, people otherwise concerned with feminism, gay rights, fighting racism, etc. Supposedly I can't date somebody unless I calculate some math formula or at least apply some "common sense". And I must say I am puzzled how somebody can fight stereotypes like black people being criminals and at the same time promote the image of the old creepy dude taking advantage of innocent young girls.

I'm a man in his mid 30s living together with his 18 year old girlfriend. I don't really get any flak in real life, but that's because I look much younger than my age. If I mention it though, especially if I mention my girlfriend's mom is the same age as me, I can see a sudden change in the expressions of women in the group, and some of them start to attack me. Men, disappointingly enough, give me the "you old dog", wink, wink. But especially online this situation is a big deal.

I could tell you how I see my relationship, how I don't think I'm taking advantage of her at all, that I support her in many ways I couldn't have done when I was her age, that I treat her with more patience and understanding that I would someone my age, that I see nothing creepy in this, etc, but of course that would be my side of the story, subjective and partial. And even more, the discussion shouldn't focus on my case.