This is the bare minimum of decent human behavior for ANY gender. If you are an adult and someone who is not an adult wants to have a relationship with you, it is your duty to, at bare minimum, turn them away.
and like… having crushes on adults is a Normal Adolescent Thing, but it doesn’t mean they’re ready for–or for that matter, want–an actual relationship with said adult. it’s a goddamn developmental phase for kids working out their sexuality, and treating it as a chance to get laid is fucking monstrous.
Recommended tactics to deal with a child hitting on you:
“kiddo”
“buddy”
inform a friend to ensure you’re never left alone with them
refer to own age in conversation
“yeah, I know I look young, but you wouldn’t BELIEVE how awkward it is being mistakenly hit on by a teenager!”
upon that child turning 18:
“Happy birthday, kiddo!”
“Have you registered to vote yet?”
“Man, being a baby adult was so hard, good luck with that”
to reiterate: minors having crushes on adults is a normal part of sexual development, but adults should NOT start a relationship and they shouldn’t act as if a minor would be an equal in said relationship because they were interested
Also! This doesn’t automatically change the minute they turn 18.
Like if you’re 30-40+ that’s still fucked up
Waiting until they’re 18 only means that you’re protecting yourself from legal trouble. You’re still a predator.
