this story is about a relative she got involved with a 50 some year old man at age 17 now has 2 kids and is filing for divorce my advice is don't date someone 20 YEARS OR SO OLDER THAN YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the general "creepiness" rule I've heard is half your age plus 7.
But... I say that if a 50 year old wants to date an 80 year old.. why not? They're both mature enough (hopefully) to be able to make such decisions for themselves.
Your relative was 17, and I personally don't think that most 17 year olds are experienced enough in the world to really weigh all sides of a decision. I am not saying that 17 year olds can't fall in love or can't make a commitment. I just think that before they formally follow through with anything (such as getting married,) they wait a couple years. I, for one, changed A LOT between the time I was 17 and the time I was 20.
Also, remember that there are many many marriages between people who aren't 20+ years apart that don't last.
the divorce is against the 50 year old