Age Shouldn't Determine Relationships.

My claim: Age should not matter in relationships.

Concrete: Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age.
       Commentary 1: All people don't base their relationships off of sex.
       Commentary 2: Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel about each other.
Concrete: Some people date people because of everything they have in common.
       Commentary 1: Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences.
       Commentary 2: Same interests help in relationships whether there is an age difference or not.
Opposing: Age should matter in a relationship.
Rebuttal: Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship.

Age shouldn't matter in relationships. Some people date because they have developed feelings for the other person despite their age. All people don't base their relationship off of sex. Most people get in a relationship because of the way they feel towards that person. A lot of people don't believe in pre-marital sex. So they don't base their interests in people on how they look, if they have a nice body, or if they are cute. Of course, there is always that first attraction, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will get far in a relationship. Most people try to look at the attitude or personality of that person before they enter a serious relationship with them. Some people date other people because of everything they have in common. Past traumas, whether it's relationship, family, or financial troubles, help determine the understanding of experiences. People who can't understand what you are going through or what you have experienced can't completely see your point of veiw enough to help you through a situation. They can try to be there for you, but in the end, they don't completely understand the stress of traumatic situations because they haven't experienced it. Just because someone is your age doesn't mean they have gone through everything you ahve gone through. It doesn't mean they are on the same maturity level as you either. Same interests mean a lot in relationships whether there is an age difference or not. For example, if you have a certain religion that the other person doesn't agree with, then how could you keep from having a conflict with them? Who would you talk to about your religion if the person you are in a relationsip with doesn't know anything about it or won't even accept it? Same interests have a lot to do with determining relationships no matter the age. The opposing claim is that age should matter in a relationship. People who are over the age of 18 (adults) should not be with anyone who is younger than the age of 18 (minors). This is because they believe that a relationship requires sex. "Research generally supports such views, finding that female teenagers who are romantically involved with older males are at greater risks for a variety of negative health outcomes--including early sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, STDs and pregnancy--than their peers dating similarly aged males." If an adult is sexually active then they would most likely try to persuade a minor in which they are in a relationship with to engage in sexual activity, taking their innocence. This is not necessarily true. Just because they are an adult does not mean they are sexually active, and just because they are in a relationship does not mean they will have sexual intercourse.
Relationships should not depend on the age difference between the two people in the relationship. All that should matter is the way they feel about each other.

My thinking: My reasoning would have to be inductive thinking because I believe exceptions should be made. Men over 25 should not be dating any younger than the age of consent and the age of consent should not be dating anyone over 25.

Source: http://findarticles.com/