Yeah - while 24 is "grown up" (he says, coming to this aged 25-and-1-week) it can still be lacking in experience, especially with relationships. It depends on the person. Some people can be fine, some people can still be pretty much lacking in power.

43 has no fucking excuse. There isn't a way in the world a 43 year old can't be expected to be the reasonable, grown-up one.