Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

I’m attracted to older men and it feels like a fetish

ILLO PRIVATE LIVE older

I am a woman of 30 who is attracted to older men. I find men of my own age unattractive and the idea of sex with them almost repulsive. It feels like a fetish, and stops me from having “normal” relationships. I don’t think I have daddy issues – my relationship with my parents is stable and loving. I have been in a relationship with a 60-year-old for a year and his children (who aren’t much younger than me) refuse to meet me. The reactions of others are, at best, bemused, but sometimes judgmental or rude. I’ve never wanted children so I’m not worried now, but what of the future? I feel I’m destined to have nothing but a string of inevitably flawed relationships and will end up sad and lonely.

When leaving a message on this page, please be sensitive to the fact that you are responding to a real person in the grip of a real-life dilemma, who wrote to Private Lives asking for help, and may well view your comments here. Please consider especially how your words or the tone of your message could be perceived by someone in this situation, and be aware that comments that appear to be disruptive or disrespectful to the individual concerned will be removed.

• If you would like fellow readers to respond to a dilemma of yours, send us an outline of the situation of about 150 words. For advice from Pamela Stephenson Connolly on sexual matters, send us a brief description of your concerns.

• All correspondence should reach us by Wednesday morning. Email: private.lives@theguardian.com (please don’t send attachments).

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.