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I've been told by history-loving friends and read in books about in early American history, when older men, sometimes in sixties or seventies, would take younger, often teenage, wives, without popular outcry or concern. Now, it seems to be looked down upon. See this Psychology Today article and the linked study for examples: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201806/why-people-dont-trust-couples-major-age-difference. When did this shift happen?

I've been told by history-loving friends and read in books about in early American history, when older men, sometimes in sixties or seventies, would take younger, often teenage, wives, without popular outcry or concern. Now, it seems to be looked down upon. See this Psychology Today article and the linked study for examples. When did this shift happen?

Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings (the slave he had an raped repeatedly throughout their lives and had children with) were thirty years apart in age (he older than her). I've asked a few history-loving friends and they told me that even if Jefferson had married someone the same age as Hemings (who was thirty years younger than him), it wouldn't have been frowned upon at all because 60-70 year old men commonly took teenage or 20-some-year-old wives. Now, however, most people would consider this behavior disgusting and try to help the girl. When did this shift happen in the US and how?

I've been told by history-loving friends and read in books about in early American history, when older men, sometimes in sixties or seventies, would take younger, often teenage, wives, without popular outcry or concern. Now, it seems to be looked down upon. See this Psychology Today article and the linked study for examples: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/meet-catch-and-keep/201806/why-people-dont-trust-couples-major-age-difference. When did this shift happen?

Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings (the slave he had an affair with) were thirty years apart in age (he older than her). I've asked a few history-loving friends and they told me that even if Jefferson had married someone the same age as Hemings (thirty years younger than him), it wouldn't have been frowned upon at all because 60-70 year old men commonly took teenage or 20-some-year-old wives. Now, however, most people would consider this behavior disgusting and try to help the girl. When did this shift happen in the US and how?

Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings (the slave he had an raped repeatedly throughout their lives and had children with) were thirty years apart in age (he older than her). I've asked a few history-loving friends and they told me that even if Jefferson had married someone the same age as Hemings (who was thirty years younger than him), it wouldn't have been frowned upon at all because 60-70 year old men commonly took teenage or 20-some-year-old wives. Now, however, most people would consider this behavior disgusting and try to help the girl. When did this shift happen in the US and how?