17 sleeping with a 30 year old

[Guest]

I am currently 17 and will be turning 18 in 4 months. I met this dude (who is 30) somewhat recently and we hit it off pretty well. He's very loving and understanding, and I enjoy being around him. We recently decided to have sex, and I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing. Is it a bad thing that I'm sleeping with him because I'm not 18 yet? I'm just so confused.

[ccsmod16]

Hi
Thank you for reaching out to us; we are glad that you did.
It sounds like you met someone that you enjoy being with, but you are confused about the relationship. That is understandable, and we are glad that you found us to talk about it.
It is unusual for a 30 year old man to be interested in someone so much younger than them. There is a perhaps, unconscious, part of you that knows this and that is the reason you are confused and want to talk about it. Be aware that there is a power dynamic in this relationship. He is fully adult and you haven’t yet reached the legal adult status. He has more money, knowledge and experience, and he may use these things to manipulate you into doing what he wants. He is more emotionally mature and knows the effect of being loving and understanding has to someone less experienced.
That is the point of caution in such an unequal relationship. If you feel comfortable with anything in this relationship, we are here for you at our confidential platforms. If you don’t feel that you have the option to say “no”, we hope that you will reach out to someone you trust or, we would be happy to talk with you more about this either by phone at 1-800-786-2929 or live chat via www.1800runaway.org We can also refer you to a sex and relationship site run for teens, by teens, www.sexetc.org
We hope to hear from you or that you will reach out to Sex,etc. for further relationship help and information.
Sincerely,
NRS