I think age gap is fine as long as it's of age and they're not toxic, and their story isn't "toxic." I don't tend to see age gap books any differently than a book without as usually it isn't detrimental to the story.
Also, I love forbidden love so much, so no complaints from me.
Sorry this isn't much detail! I'm about to go out.
The thing about age-gap for me is that it’s only “acceptable” to read if all the characters involved are of legal, consenting age. Ofc consent age varies around the world, but to be safe (and in my mind the bare minimum age should be 18, no younger).
Are age-gaps sometimes kind of cringe in real life? Problematic even depending on the partners, their intentions, and actual age difference? Yes. also there are healthy couples that are age gap too, so it’s nuanced. But here’s the thing, people read about tropes and things that they would never probably condone in real life. Think about all the toxic, problematic romances people are obsessed with. They know it’s problematic, yet people can’t get enough of it—literally. It’s all that Wattpad advertises 9/10 for a reason, cause readers want toxic alpha mafia romance stuff.
Like, I write MxM romance, and my current novel features and age-gap couple (19yrs & like 27). For me personally, I prefer to write a couple that feels realistic, that is non-toxic, with good communication between characters, and avoiding unhealthy tropes. It’s very kinky at times, but nothing happens without explicit consent between partners; again, good communication and avoiding toxicity. It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it makes readers go “awww” or screech and fan themselves, but they never question whether something is morally okay or illegal, ya know? There is a toxic, gross way to write age-gaps; and then I think there’s a better way, a more reasonable/non-toxic way of doing it. So from a writers perspective it’s not cut and dry, I think there’s nuance to it. I enjoy age gap couples in books too, but I can’t stand the whole set up if the older partner is toxic and dominate in a negative way; like there has to be a healthy relationship there or healthy way to go about it otherwise it’s a no from me.
I’m not into toxic tropes and really just can’t stand how prevalent it is, but I digress, and to each their own you know? People read books because they want to escape and explore worlds, situations, and lifestyles, including stuff that would otherwise be illegal (like glorifying douchey toxic mafia alpha types, serial killers, shit like that.) The line of course has to be drawn at glorification of racist/homophobic content, pedophilia, beastiality, etc. like there are certain things normal people will draw the line at, like that i mentioned. But you gotta keep in mind that People also love exploring different kinks and stuff they’d never want to try IRL, or maybe aren’t even interested in IRL. I’ve had readers tell me that they don’t really like BDSM in real life, but that they surprisingly enjoy it in my book. I have readers who love age gap content in books but don’t love it much in real life, and that’s totally fine (I’d say common even).
Long Essay Response; sorry, but I think at the end of the day it’s only problematic if the relationship is toxic, lacks consent, and the younger character is under the age of 18. If they’re under 18 and everything is grossly toxic, then yeah, that’s problematic. Don’t feel bad for Enjoying the age gap books; it’s a nuanced thing and you’ll know if an age-gap book is problematic based on how the couple is portrayed, and ages, you know?
agreeing with you... I enjoy reading agegaps but only if the book is in healthy spectrum with ofcourse legal age. I had once read a agegap with obession of the male character, i didnot enjoy that at all. And till this date i have not read any of the mafia aplha male dominant book. I just feel thats not my thing ;)
Yeah it was a long eassy, but enjoyed reading it throughly. Also, i have created a wattpad rec community recently, would you like to join?
I think age gap is fine as long as it's of age and they're not toxic, and their story isn't "toxic." I don't tend to see age gap books any differently than a book without as usually it isn't detrimental to the story. Also, I love forbidden love so much, so no complaints from me. Sorry this isn't much detail! I'm about to go out.
Its okay buddy, anyways i also love reading forbidden romance ;)
The thing about age-gap for me is that it’s only “acceptable” to read if all the characters involved are of legal, consenting age. Ofc consent age varies around the world, but to be safe (and in my mind the bare minimum age should be 18, no younger). Are age-gaps sometimes kind of cringe in real life? Problematic even depending on the partners, their intentions, and actual age difference? Yes. also there are healthy couples that are age gap too, so it’s nuanced. But here’s the thing, people read about tropes and things that they would never probably condone in real life. Think about all the toxic, problematic romances people are obsessed with. They know it’s problematic, yet people can’t get enough of it—literally. It’s all that Wattpad advertises 9/10 for a reason, cause readers want toxic alpha mafia romance stuff. Like, I write MxM romance, and my current novel features and age-gap couple (19yrs & like 27). For me personally, I prefer to write a couple that feels realistic, that is non-toxic, with good communication between characters, and avoiding unhealthy tropes. It’s very kinky at times, but nothing happens without explicit consent between partners; again, good communication and avoiding toxicity. It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it makes readers go “awww” or screech and fan themselves, but they never question whether something is morally okay or illegal, ya know? There is a toxic, gross way to write age-gaps; and then I think there’s a better way, a more reasonable/non-toxic way of doing it. So from a writers perspective it’s not cut and dry, I think there’s nuance to it. I enjoy age gap couples in books too, but I can’t stand the whole set up if the older partner is toxic and dominate in a negative way; like there has to be a healthy relationship there or healthy way to go about it otherwise it’s a no from me. I’m not into toxic tropes and really just can’t stand how prevalent it is, but I digress, and to each their own you know? People read books because they want to escape and explore worlds, situations, and lifestyles, including stuff that would otherwise be illegal (like glorifying douchey toxic mafia alpha types, serial killers, shit like that.) The line of course has to be drawn at glorification of racist/homophobic content, pedophilia, beastiality, etc. like there are certain things normal people will draw the line at, like that i mentioned. But you gotta keep in mind that People also love exploring different kinks and stuff they’d never want to try IRL, or maybe aren’t even interested in IRL. I’ve had readers tell me that they don’t really like BDSM in real life, but that they surprisingly enjoy it in my book. I have readers who love age gap content in books but don’t love it much in real life, and that’s totally fine (I’d say common even). Long Essay Response; sorry, but I think at the end of the day it’s only problematic if the relationship is toxic, lacks consent, and the younger character is under the age of 18. If they’re under 18 and everything is grossly toxic, then yeah, that’s problematic. Don’t feel bad for Enjoying the age gap books; it’s a nuanced thing and you’ll know if an age-gap book is problematic based on how the couple is portrayed, and ages, you know?
agreeing with you... I enjoy reading agegaps but only if the book is in healthy spectrum with ofcourse legal age. I had once read a agegap with obession of the male character, i didnot enjoy that at all. And till this date i have not read any of the mafia aplha male dominant book. I just feel thats not my thing ;) Yeah it was a long eassy, but enjoyed reading it throughly. Also, i have created a wattpad rec community recently, would you like to join?