people defending massive age gaps in relationships like “it’s Hollywood” like ummmmmm… yeah which is exactly why the men are never held accountable for their weird behavior . it is not normal.
It's also in many ways regressive, isn't it?
Now, I'm not trying to infantilize Alba. I think this is where people get strung up saying that she's a legal adult and above the age of consent, and all is great with it.
No one's saying she isn't an adult. No one saying she doesn't have agency. No one's saying she can't make her own decisions...even a bad one.
Now, I do think it's a bad decision for many reasons, but it's hers to make. She's an adult. We can all acknowledge that. However, just because something's legal doesn't make it a good thing.
First, let's talk about Chris and his judgment here first: what goes on in the heads of men that seek out young women?
Power. Control. Getting a "Pretty Young Thing", and all the things that go with that. I doubt it's for the common experience, but instead for the "teaching experience" that young people offer (for reference, see the "Mario" video he posted today...damn, the man just tells on himself, doesn't he?).
In the end, a large part of the reasons men choose very young women is for objectifying purposes that have more to do with themselves and their own emotional needs than for the needs of the woman involved. Her needs are in the end, going to be very much secondary to his own. Ultimately, I have to pin this on patriarchy and the supremacy of the man involved.
I'm sure he loves the cheering on and the congratulations of his male friends.
What about her? I've said before that I don't think it's a very healthy emotional choice for the woman involved. There might initially be an attraction to the financial security and experience that a much older man offers to a young woman, but that will fade eventually. Maybe that man will be generous and allow her to age and grow older and secure with him over time, eventually leveling out to an even playing field where the power and experience imbalance becomes almost nonexistent.
In Chris's case, I think that's doubtful, because I really don't think that's why he sought her out in the first place, and she's not likely to ever achieve his career and material success. Couple that with his fame and money, and I see nothing but problems for her.
He'll grow bored. He'll cheat with all the women that throw themselves at him, despite his hairline. If she's still with him when that happens, she'll be powerless to do anything about it other than sit back and watch it happen, and just grow to be a bitter and jaded Hollywood wife someday.
Honestly, though, I doubt they'll last that long in the end.