Hiya DizzleDazzle

I am still in awe of your writing ability, the ability to describe anything properly is an amazing skill, Bravo Brother......to business.

Good idea for a post as it's one of the obvious things that can occur with MAA's yet it's not overly discussed ( me living under a rock doesn't help i guess/failure to keep up to date with the goings on of GC )

To me the idea of an adult/older person forming a platonic friendship with a much younger person ( gender aside ) can have just as many pitfalls as it would benefits ALL of which is subject to the two individuals circumstances, personal history/experiences, their beliefs, where they live and how that community (let alone the immediate family) would perceive such a relationship.

*JUDGMENT*
We all know that ppl can be very judgmental and it dont matter what about either. Just seeing an adult and child can invoke impure thoughts and idle banter, regardless of whether they are related or not. This says more about the rest of the population than that of the supposed odd couple. How on earth can someone know what is going through the minds of an intergenerational couple, unless they are a genuine psychic they cant, it's only their own ideas (from their own experiences) that are projected onto couple through no fault of their own. Even if the odd couple is in a purely platonic relationship/friendship there is nary a chance that they would go unnoticed and escape the acidic opinions of an ill informed public. On the flip side both parties can learn much as it is a means of looking into the future and past all at once, the younger person can glean much insight and wisdom from the adult and the adult can learn from the younger person by appreciating a very different view on life, a view free of the stress ppl impose upon themselves.

*HISTORY/BELIEFS*
For a friendship to be formed an interest in a common topic, interest or item would likely to be present to kindle a friendship. Age difference rules out alot of common interests but leave plenty of other things which an adult and child can have in common. Personal experiences can be a biggie, their own beliefs ( religion ) and traditions. These can be foundations for a friendship without it having to turn seedy or sexual.

*CIRCUMSTANCE*
Herein lies the potential for disaster..... should a child and adult meet through unusual ( or very usual ) circumstance the chance of a friendship forming due to the adult/child seeking a change from their present life would be flawed from the very start. The adult may be going through a messy break up with a like aged partner and may seek something different to their present situation and the child may be having a hard time at school or at home and may be seeking comfort in someone who is in contrast to the situation that they're in. This kind of friendship based solely on emotional instability is a bad place to be. Same applies to adults I guess and who's to say if adults are more able to cope.
Would people be so disapproving should an adult befriend an intellectually disabled person? Hmmm...no

*FAMILY*
This is another minefield. Should an adult pursue a friendship with a child without the consent/approval of the child's parents....I think you know what is likely to happen there, nothing good would come of it.
On the other hand if the adult was well known, respected and seen ( in the eyes of the younger persons parents )as an appropriate influence on the
child's life then it's possible that the adult and child could form and continue to have an intergenerational relationship/friendship. The parents of said child should subject the adult to an interrogation style of interview, just to get to know them a little better (JK). The parents/carer and or legal guardian should know who they are dealing with.