18-Year-Old Sister Is Dating a 50-Year-Old (Is That Okay?)

18-Year-Old Sister Is Dating a 50-Year-Old (Is That Okay?)

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[andrea]

When the crap hits the fan, and believe me it will, your sister is going to need you. The groomer/ abuser’s best weapon is an alienated and isolated victim. That’s when they do the most harm. Don’t let him win in doing that. You may not agree with your sister’s choices, but keep showing up. She needs you now more than ever, even if she doesn’t know it yet.

[pandabear]

As someone who was in an abusive relationship, the WORST thing you can do is cut things off on your end. All it does is push them further into the abusers arms.

[troyspears]

Im 27 and couldnt imagine dating a 18 year old…

[starlingswallow]

Gabrielle, please have you and your family do a background check on this disgusting man. It cost money but it's worth it. I'm sure this isn't his first teenager/victim. If he has a shady background, which I'm sure he does, show it to her!! He may be manipulative and twist it so he's the "victim", but it will at least plant a seed in her mind.
And as John said, stick close to her. ❤ If you try to change her mind, it will drive a wedge between you and she may distance herself and send her into his arms further 😢

I'm so sorry.

[florencia]

My parents did not protect me from a predator psychopath who was 36 when I was 17-18. The relationship with my parents was forever damaged. I rarely talk to them, maybe once a year. PROTECT your DAUGHTERS from these psychopaths.

[blahblahblah]

It's weird. When I was 18 I thought I knew so much. Now 18 seems so infantile :/ No matter how smart the person is.

[tiffanynicoley]

I’ve been that girl where I was 15 talking to 40 year olds online who told me I was "so mature" for my age. And now that I’m 30 I’m like wow what was I thinking. When I look at an 18/19/20 year old (let’s say like a celebrity) I cannot be attracted to them because wow they just seem like kids to me now. Being attracted to younger people after a certain point is just plain weird and creepy. Besides the fact this dude was actively grooming this poor girl.

[EvolvePeaceLove]

Just be there when she runs. Needs a safe place. Let her know ur there.

[sensimania]

7:23 - Sometimes (unfortunately) that "one day" doesn't come until after she's had 4 kids and endured lots of emotional/physical/financial abuse

[OlgaSuner-dxfq]

This is what I like with Dr. Deloney very direct, raw, straight to the point doesn’t play diplomacy crap that most high educated people in his field put out to the public and most importantly connects with people and puts himself in their situation. Good man at heart we need more professionals like him 👍

[ethanriley]

I’m 23 and I couldn’t date an 18 year old. Have you talked to one? They are children.

[gabrielamartiniuc]

I have 17 and 20 year old daughters. This call infuriates me. The guy wouldn’t be around if he met me. He would run for the hills!

[carolineb]

When I was 17, I got involved with a man in his 50’s. I had just exited an abusive relationship, and he was initially a shoulder to cry on. I didn’t see it as bad then, but also didn’t tell anyone about the relationship - I am
now a 48 year old woman and see now how vulnerable I was back then, and how manipulative and selfish this man was.

[aleffel]

The part that makes me even more mad is that in a lot of states this is how the law works. And in some states the age of consent is even lower. Absolutely absurd and maddening to hear stories like this. They are KIDS. They don’t know what they are doing, even though they think they do

[AshleyLebedev]

I COULD NOT AGREE MORE with John. Accept it and show her healthy responses and life and about your life and friends and excitements and happiness. TRUST me, at some point she’ll start to want that, with similar young girl experiences. Plan sister trips like tubing, concerts, a weekend retreat etc. She won’t be able to go home after time and relate to him. They will not have ANYTHING in common. Encourage her talents and personal passions so she goes out and pursues them. If she has those things she’ll wake up eventually. Deep down you must remember she knows its weird or even wrong. She knows its not a good feeling to explain it. This happened to my friend with a teacher at our school. You have to just choose to smile and play that long game. Dont criticize, just live by example so when she leaves she thinks she chose it. Sisters > guy and sanity > predator will eventually win when you do it that way.

[juliemorales]

If I ever had any questions about why Dr John has this job, which I don't, this show would without a doubt alleviate each of those questions. What a heartbreaking incredibly frustrating call and what a thoughtful, sensitive, heartfelt and supportive response to the caller.

[Wintersnow]

They seek out young kids with troubled lives … kids who have issues, parents out of their lives… easier to groom them n play the whole “well they dont love you but I do.” Or kids with very low self esteem. Its sick as hell

[Golfing]

I’m 49 and I couldn’t imagine dating what I view as a child. My oldest daughter is 24. Shame on this sick man.

[bryansmith]

I'm 33 and i can't even look at an 18 year old without rolling my eyes.

[diahill]

I once had a young girl say that after she left her perpetrator, he would get so angry because I was the only person he couldn’t get rid of . I was always nice to him so not to give him any reason to cut me out . Little did he know I couldn’t stand him . She thanked me very much because I was her main support, and she always knew I was there for her .