The perception of whether an 18-year-old dating a 25-year-old represents a big age difference can vary depending on cultural norms, individual perspectives, and legal considerations in different regions. Generally, an age gap of seven years might be considered significant at younger ages, but as people get older, such age differences tend to matter less.
In many places, the age of consent is 18 or lower, which means that an 18-year-old is considered legally capable of giving consent to engage in a romantic or sexual relationship with an older partner. However, it's essential to be aware of the legal age of consent in your jurisdiction to ensure that the relationship is not crossing any legal boundaries.
Socially, some people may have strong opinions about age gaps in relationships, especially when one person is a legal adult and the other is significantly older. They might express concerns about power imbalances, differences in life experience, and maturity levels.
That being said, if both you and your partner are happy and consenting adults, and you are in a healthy and respectful relationship, it's crucial to focus on your feelings and well-being. As long as you are both of legal age and your relationship is based on mutual respect, trust, and open communication, what matters most is your happiness and the happiness of your partner.
It's essential to be aware of potential challenges that may arise due to age differences, but if you feel secure in your relationship and believe it is based on genuine love and connection, don't let the opinions of others bring you down. Relationships are about the people involved, not the numbers, and it's ultimately up to you and your partner to determine what works best for both of you. Just ensure that you both are on the same page, understand each other's perspectives, and communicate openly about any concerns or issues that may arise.