Imagine walking into high school as a freshman of fourteen.  New students feel intimidated by the upperclassmen with their constant taunting and harassment.  Now add dating into the equation, which for most freshmen is another big first they are trying to figure out. Add one more little twist- that cute older guy you remember from middle school can now drive and wants to ask you out.  You want to but you know what people will say.  He is only after one thing. Be careful he has a bad reputation.  The problem is he seems sincere and you want to give him a chance.  What do you do? 
Most freshmen would be flattered that a senior was interested in them.  The benefits may depend on the gender of each student.  Girls may see the older boy as being better than a younger guy because they can drive, maybe the senior is more popular, and just the simple fact that an older guy is into them are all perks for her. Not everyone thinks it is a good idea.
“I think it’s stupid.  Dating someone in high school while you’re in college is just ignorant…unless it’s Tyler Kirkpatrick,” says senior Zach Woodham.
The older guy on the other hand usually gets a different reaction.  He may end up creating a reputation for himself that may or may not be deserved.  His buddies think it’s cool but the senior girls talk and they see him as more predator than playboy.
Beside all the talking of others, it is the couple that makes the situation and not what other’s think.
Freshman Stephanie Brougher and senior John Michael Morris are one couple who have decided to take a chance.
Brougher says, “It’s not really an issue because it happens in the adult world, so I say you can’t really listen to other people…  Some people were like “Remember who you are” and stuff. It’s like they have to trust me not to do bad things.”
Couples usual get together because they both have legitimate feelings for one another and age is not really much of a thought.  High school dating is difficult enough without the added pressure of age issues. Brougher says that she and Morris are about the same maturity level.  While she doesn’t have a problem with the age difference, she knows that some see it differently including her mom and dad.
“My mom at first, before she met him when I told her I was considering dating him, she wasn’t really sure about it because of the age. Dating a senior she didn’t know what to think about it. Eventually, after she met him, she loved him,” said Brougher
It seems like regardless of the age of the couples and whether it’s an older guy or an older girl a relationship is about two people and not two hundred opinions.