age gap
Daily Opinion

Why we need to stop pretending some age-gap relationships aren’t an abuse of power

Where does grooming stop, and consensual relationships begin?

In 2019, Leonardo DiCaprio became a subject of frustration. DiCaprio met his current girlfriend, Camila Morrone, when she was only twelve years old.

Although there’s nothing to suggest that it was a sexual relationship at this stage, it still comes across as incredibly creepy. Morrone’s former stepdad Al Pacino (Leo’s friend) introduced them both.

Age-gap

Unfortunately, this is a topic that comes up repeatedly: just because it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s okay.

Although these issues aren’t just happening with celebrities, celebrities’ lives do shine a light on this pervasive issue.

For example, take the Kardashian family. The 25-year-old rapper Tyga dated the then 17-year-old Kylie Jenner. Scott Disick, aged 38 is currently dating 20-year-old Amelia Gray Hamlin.

Disick’s ex-girlfriend is Sofia Richie, who was then aged 18 when they started dating.

However, they had both known each other for several years before Richie could be classed as ‘legally’ datable, as she was a close friend of Kylie.

age-gap

Natalie Portman has spoken out about her so-called ‘relationship’ with Moby.

Claiming in his memoir that he and Natalie dated, Moby stated they had dated when he was aged 33 and she was 20.

When Natalie spoke out about this stating:

“I was surprised to hear that he characterised the very short time that I knew him as dating, because my recollection is as much older man being creepy with me”.

age-gap

Natalie additionally clarified that she was in fact aged 18 at the time she was in a ‘relationship’ with Moby, not 20, as he claimed.

Recently, the internet exploded with the issues surrounding Millie Bobby Brown and Hunter Echo’s relationship. Hunter aged 21, claimed he’d “groomed” the 17 year-old actress, which she has since denied.

age-gap

Hunter took to his Instagram Live in July to make numerous crude comments about Brown. He described in graphic and vulgar detail his alleged sexual encounters that occurred between him and Brown. Moreover, the age of consent in California, where Ecimovic lives is 18, in Georgia where Brown lives, it is 16.

A representative for Brown commented:

“Mr Ecimovic’s remarks on social media are not only dishonest, but also are irresponsible, offensive and hateful.”

“Instead of engaging in a public discourse with him through the press or on social media, we are taking action to ensure that he stops this behaviour once and for all”

Whilst it’s incredibly easy to make comments and suggestions about relationships we know nothing about, let alone celebrity relationships, these examples seem to clearly suggest that this is indeed a problem. Therefore, these relationships and abuse of power can have an effect on us, as a result of what is being presented in the media.

Ultimately, the numerous examples I have provided, clearly seem to suggest that this is in fact a gendered issue, that is steeped deeply in sexism.

Author

  • Ellie Sheehan (Author)

    I'm about to start my third and final year at the University of Exeter, studying Classical Studies and English. I write regularly on my own personal blog and I'm on the Her Campus Exeter Committee as a Sex and Relationships Editor. I love writing about music, art, culture, relationships and current news.

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