Question - Why 18 year olds?

[Rob_Royale]

I really enjoy May/December stories. But it seems like 90% of them feature an 18 or 19 year old kid. What is the attraction to a character that young as a writer? They have nearly no life experiences. Nothing to make them attractive or interesting beyond the physical.

Now, admittedly I didn't come into my own as a young man until I was 22. That's when women began noticing me sexually. I lost my virginity at 22. So it's possible I'm just seeing myself at that age and seeing the young man as I was. Pretty likely in fact.

Also, I'm a non-conformist by nature. If something is commonly done, it's something I usually avoid and generally disdain. So my attitude could just be that.

But my question remains. What about that wet behind the ears kid is a draw to you as a writer? Wouldn't a 26 year old with a degree and a job or military service be more likely to attract that MILF next door?

 

[TheRedChamber]

Different stories need different characters, and different people like different fetishes and types.

'Experienced seduces inexperienced' is a fairly basic Lit trope and one that works. 'Cougar jumps on prime physical specimin' is another good one, just probably not in the same story.

That said, I'm largely with you - if my story requires characters to be young, I might put them as university students, but not necessarily 18 years old by default. A lot of my characters end up as just graduating university or studying for a post-graduate degree. (I haven't done military service because most of my characters tend to be nerdish) I have done the deflowering on her 18th birthday trope, but only because the story kind of required it and I really don't like (personally) the '18 but still at high school' type stories.

 

[ElectricBlue]

I'm with you on this. There is zero erotic interest or potential in an eighteen year old boy, and young women need several years out after high school to be interesting. Not saying they can't be as hot as all get out at that young age, but the mind takes a bit longer to mature.

 

[HordHolm]

I think there are some different factors going on with this. First off, on some levels it matters whether the character is male or female (can't really answer for non-binary - not enough data for me to speculate). However, it only matters to a degree, generally around the idea (to which I generally subscribe) that it's more creepy for an older guy to be leering over an 18 year old girl, than a mature woman to be leering over an 18 year old boy. And yes, this is sexist. However, we should recognise that the former is probably more common than the latter.

Anyway, I would say, first off, that emotions (or more realistically, hormones) are pretty rampant at the age of 18, however very often the brain is an order of magnitude behind the body in terms of development. So, very often we will hit the 'unrequited' mountain. Strong emotions + inability to express or even understand them = lust at a distance. Fast forward into a more mature level of development, at which point we can imagine what we would have done with the object of our teenage desires, but with the maturity we now have. Putting that down on paper as a sort of 'now I know better and I can have him/her' kind of thing seems fairly straightforward.

Then, there is the idea that dumb teenage me could have been mightily helped by an 'authority' figure (read, mature man or woman) who could take control and lead me into temptation. This is also a comforting vision, and to put that down on paper very much reads as wish fulfilment, particularly if there was an authority figure back in the day who was the subject of an idle fantasy or two.

There's a lot more, of course, and some of it is undoubtedly on the creepy side. I remember watching a BBC doc back in the 1980s about the strippers who used to work lunchtime strip shows in British pubs (yes, this used to be a thing. Not sure if it still is, but I have my doubts), and they would go through the usual themes - nurse, teacher, policewoman, etc. But the one they disliked, to a woman, was the sexy schoolgirl. A couple rationalised it as putting wish fulfilment back into the teenage male years, but the others just found it deeply questionable. And that probably goes for some of the content that appears here, with a FMC placed at 18, but younger in the author's imagination.

 

[RetroFan]

I've never written a story in the Mature category or read any works there, I got the impression by the name that these stories were about older people, for example two 40-something divorcees who find love with each other?

One reason I have written stories about 18 and 19-year-old characters is that many of my works are set years in the past, when people tended to get married at younger ages (early 20s) than today, and my characters needed to be single to make the stories work. Also 18 and 19-year-olds tend to be more 'under control' by their families, many live at home or return home during college holidays, or go on vacation with their parents and siblings. A lot of my stories also have 'forbidden' sex, like male employee and boss's daughter, people from different religious groups, good girls and bad guys, students and a teacher's wife and lesbian affairs when such things were taboo. These themes work better with characters aged 18 and 19 more than with characters aged in their 20s.

As just one example, my story 'Marcie and Ramona's Sapphic Saturday' is about two 18-year-old girls, seniors and in high school, who are having a secret lesbian affair in 1961. Such a relationship would have been unthinkable way back then, especially given Marcie is the daughter of wealthy Jewish-American parents and Ramona is the daughter of the live-in housekeeper. It is a realistic setting that the two girls live together and get up to all sorts of things when alone in the house, like skinny-dipping in the pool. If the girls were aged in their early-mid 20s them still living at home wouldn't work, both would likely be married by then, and even if they were single, there wouldn't be the same 'taboo' factor about two young women having a lesbian affair at age 23.

 

[Omenainen]

Yeah, I don’t see the appeal either. I tend to think that those stories are written by people so old and so out of touch that they think 18 and 25 is all the same, and just pick the youngest age. That being said, I tend to think 25-years-olds are still immature, uninteresting kids too

 

[SimonDoom]

I can think of any number of reasons, although some of them are more "fantasy" reasons than real-life reasons. That's something to keep in mind when trying to answer a question like this: the question concerns the appeal within the world of erotic fantasy stories rather than in real life.

1. The fresh/first time element. Some people enjoy stories about people who are inexperienced--the first time/virgin theme. The theme of an older woman seducing, or being seduced by, a young and inexperienced man is fun for some in that Mrs. Robinson way. The younger he is, the more plausibly inexperienced.

2. Plot. In incest stories, it's more likely that the man and woman will be in close proximity if the man is very young. Proximity is a key element in many incest stories, and it has to be accounted for.

3. Sexual vigor. Men peak young, physically at least, if not in terms of know-how.

4. Contrast. For some the more contrast, the more erotic appeal. Making the man (or the woman, if we flip the genders) 18 and right out of high school enhances that erotic appeal. If the story features a 50 year old woman and a 28 year old man, there's not quit the same sizzling contrast.

Speaking for myself, my erotic self has gone through different phases as I've aged, and each one has its different appeal. I remember what it was like to be 18, horny all the time, but also somewhat frustrated because my maturity and confidence hadn't caught up to the level of my desire (I'm not sure they've caught up yet, now that I'm in my 50s, but they're closer). If I write a story about a young man around that age I think about what I was like and how I thought about things. It has its own appeal.

 

[Handley_Page]

I really enjoy May/December stories. But it seems like 90% of them feature an 18 or 19 year old kid. What is the attraction to a character that young as a writer? They have nearly no life experiences. Nothing to make them attractive or interesting beyond the physical.
.
.
But my question remains. What about that wet behind the ears kid is a draw to you as a writer? Wouldn't a 26 year old with a degree and a job or military service be more likely to attract that MILF next door?

I believe it to be one of the joys of 'Fantasy'

 

[EmilyMiller]

I really enjoy May/December stories. But it seems like 90% of them feature an 18 or 19 year old kid. What is the attraction to a character that young as a writer? They have nearly no life experiences. Nothing to make them attractive or interesting beyond the physical.

Now, admittedly I didn't come into my own as a young man until I was 22. That's when women began noticing me sexually. I lost my virginity at 22. So it's possible I'm just seeing myself at that age and seeing the young man as I was. Pretty likely in fact.

Also, I'm a non-conformist by nature. If something is commonly done, it's something I usually avoid and generally disdain. So my attitude could just be that.

But my question remains. What about that wet behind the ears kid is a draw to you as a writer? Wouldn't a 26 year old with a degree and a job or military service be more likely to attract that MILF next door?

18 yos are still sexual beings. It wasn’t that long ago for me. I know age is fetishized, but to say that a late teen is not interesting as they have not lived enough is a bit of a sweeping statement. People have different experiences.

Em

 

[MelissaBaby]

I can think of any number of reasons, although some of them are more "fantasy" reasons than real-life reasons. That's something to keep in mind when trying to answer a question like this: the question concerns the appeal within the world of erotic fantasy stories rather than in real life.

1. The fresh/first time element. Some people enjoy stories about people who are inexperienced--the first time/virgin theme. The theme of an older woman seducing, or being seduced by, a young and inexperienced man is fun for some in that Mrs. Robinson way. The younger he is, the more plausibly inexperienced.

2. Plot. In incest stories, it's more likely that the man and woman will be in close proximity if the man is very young. Proximity is a key element in many incest stories, and it has to be accounted for.

3. Sexual vigor. Men peak young, physically at least, if not in terms of know-how.

4. Contrast. For some the more contrast, the more erotic appeal. Making the man (or the woman, if we flip the genders) 18 and right out of high school enhances that erotic appeal. If the story features a 50 year old woman and a 28 year old man, there's not quit the same sizzling contrast.

Speaking for myself, my erotic self has gone through different phases as I've aged, and each one has its different appeal. I remember what it was like to be 18, horny all the time, but also somewhat frustrated because my maturity and confidence hadn't caught up to the level of my desire (I'm not sure they've caught up yet, now that I'm in my 50s, but they're closer). If I write a story about a young man around that age I think about what I was like and how I thought about things. It has its own appeal.

5. Lazy writers who don't want to give their characters any back story.

 

[Pabiporffor]

I'm guilty of using younger characters in my work.
1. We all know lits under 18 rule can make basic virginity stories difficult but you can have them experiencing other first time events such as first one night stand.

2. You can use their inexperience to contrast more sexually open characters.

3. Many that age haven't settled down yet so it's more realistic they'll gobble a guy in a bar toilet for the hell of it. Young, dumb and full of cum.

But still being youngish myself I've more tales from friends to incorporate in my works than from older adults. As the old cliche says, write about what you know, and I know plenty of 18 yo cumbuckets.

 

[SimonDoom]

5. Lazy writers who don't want to give their characters any back story.

That's true for any type of story, with characters of any age. There's nothing inherently "lazy" about having a character that's 18.

 

[MelissaBaby]

That's true for any type of story, with characters of any age. There's nothing inherently "lazy" about having a character that's 18.

I didn't say that having 18 year old characters indicated a lazy author, I said that lazy authors can use young characters to avoid writing backstory.

 

[Voboy]

Some writers like setting their stories in high schools.

So. That might be part of it. Occam's Razor on that one.

 

[Voboy]

A high school setting in the Mature category -- doesn't sound creepy at all.

Oh, I'm sure it is. For a certain type of reader. Other readers find it exciting. It depends on what you're looking for.

Fortunately, we're on a site where most people can find things they'll enjoy. Not all those things will be to everyone's taste, and that's fine too.

 

[Rob_Royale]

Another reason I think I have trouble with it is, as a dad of two grown sons, I can tell you there's nothing remotely "adult" about 18 year olds. I see children in taller bodys.

I asked my wife, if I died, if she'd replace me with a couple of 18 year olds. She looked at me like she'd tasted something bad. She told me they were still children but that she'd happily replace me with four or five 30 year olds.

 

[Voboy]

Another reason I think I have trouble with it is, as a dad of two grown sons, I can tell you there's nothing remotely "adult" about 18 year olds. I see children in taller bodys.

Well, yes.

A lot of writers enjoy writing irresponsible characters doing irresponsible things... A lot of readers enjoy reading about that, too.

I'm not sure you're going to get an answer to your question that's going to cover everything. Like with other recent threads, an attempt to generalize about "why writers do things" is likely to be stymied by the fact that there are a huge number of writers, and that few of them post here in the AH.

 

[ronde]

Yeah, I don’t see the appeal either. I tend to think that those stories are written by people so old and so out of touch that they think 18 and 25 is all the same, and just pick the youngest age. That being said, I tend to think 25-years-olds are still immature, uninteresting kids too

I'm a long way from being considered young, and I have included 18 year olds in some stories. The reason I do isn't usually some drive by an older woman for a very young guy. In my experience, those older women would rather have a man who knows what he's doing.

I think one of the main reasons for the popularity (mostly among male readers I would venture) is that feeling we men have when we first learn about sex. We learn the mechanics from our fathers or mothers, but that's usually just "insert tab A into slot B". We also hear all sorts of advice from our male friends, some of which is in conflict with what we think we already know. What we really want and need is a lot more information and to have the experience. Who would be better to give us both than an older woman? As I wrote in one story, it's better to get the answers from one who already knows the questions.

Yes, it's just a fantasy, but I think this fantasy is the basis for a lot of the popularity of an 18 year old boy's "first time".

Not being female, I would assume that most girls get more information from their mothers, so I can't speak to how popular the 18 year old fantasy might be for them.

Judging from some the work on some other sites, the magic age of 18 is only because of Lit's rules. It would be lower if some authors could get away with writing characters who are much younger.

 

[SeraphNocturne]

Another reason I think I have trouble with it is, as a dad of two grown sons, I can tell you there's nothing remotely "adult" about 18 year olds. I see children in taller bodys.

I asked my wife, if I died, if she'd replace me with a couple of 18 year olds. She looked at me like she'd tasted something bad. She told me they were still children but that she'd happily replace me with four of five 30 year olds.

I’m thirty two and share this sentiment… in fact, most twenty-something’s are referred to as “kids” to me. Physically though, the average 18 year old looks absolutely nothing like the 18 year olds I recall growing up with. In some places here in Atlanta, these children act, look and behave like grown adults, both male and female.

Something tells me though that’s not exactly what most people are looking for in younger/older stories. Curiously enough I’m writing a story with a dramatic age gap as we speak, and have found myself at a pause because… I really don’t want this story to ring as “creepy”.

 

[AwkwardlySet]

For me, it is innocence and lack of corruption. It is almost like starting with a blank page. I don't understand some of the criticism in this thread tbh. With an older, experienced character, you get to write his/her back story, that is true. With a fresh, innocent character, you get to show how the character grows in real-time, how the reality of life changes his personality from the wet-behind-the-ear character that started the story to whatever the story grows him/her into. There isn't much difference in the end product, it is just a matter of when and how is the back story told and what better suits the tone and the style of the story. Every character, from 18 to 80, can be equally well-written, it is just a matter of preference and what better suits the story you are trying to tell.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Some 18yos behave like 13yos.

Some are more mature than many an older person.

YMMV

All generalities are invidious - including this one.

Em

 

[EmilyMiller]

Some 18yos behave like 13yos.

Some are more mature than many an older person.

YMMV

All generalities are invidious - including this one.

Em

At the risk of being argumentative Emily (not my best look), I think maybe some of you have lost touch with your 18yo selves and are seeing the age through others (children etc.).

Em

 

[yowser]

On the other hand, some of the most exciting experiences in life arrive when you are young and stupid.

 

[HordHolm]

On the other hand, some of the most exciting experiences in life arrive when you are young and stupid.

True, true. But most of them happen alongside other young and stupid folk. Mine certainly did.

 

[SimonDoom]

Oh ya stroppy cow
Nah.. I'd say there's a recoil reflex which isn't altogether a bad thing. As I'm sure and others would do 'approach the topic with caution'

That's the opposite of my attitude. My attitude about erotica is "embrace the naughty." Throw caution to the wind and revel in the debauchery. I set some limits when it concerns conduct that's illegal, such as with underage, but 18 and over isn't underage or illegal, so have at it, as far as I'm concerned.