And twelve is not old enough for romance. Period. Twelve-year-olds should be focused on their grades, not their cough-should be nonexistent-cough love lives. Aang needs to focus on his training, of course, but its the same thing. And theres the fact that Kataras older than he is. Zuko is a teenager. Aang is not. See the difference? I believe that if you are fourteen now, or have been fourteen, you would not have romantic interest in a twelve-year-old. You might, however, have had romantic interest in a sixteen year old (Zuko might even be fifteen-teetering-on-the-edge-of-sixteen). And to all guys reading this, when you were twelve, you were never really in love, were you? As many late teens will attest, both girls and guys may feel a strong attraction to someone at that age, but it isnt love. Sorry.
And for the record, you cant use the Aang is one-hundred-twelve excuse, because wouldnt that make him ninety-eight years too old for Katara? XD
A person on FFN made the statement that Zutarans also tend to say that no 14-year-old girl could be interested in a younger boy. I think this is coming from the perspective of people who are accustomed through the school system to being compartmentalized with many kids within a year of their own age. During the days of the one-room schoolhouse, I doubt such age differences mattered so much. In the Avatar world, this sort of separation by year doesn't happen. Besides, let's not forget that Aang was the first boy Katara had seen in two years who was over the age of approximately 7, excepting her brother. Compared to the little boys with which she was surrounded, Aang would have seemed almost like a man.
Um, youre forgetting one thing, honthe school system being compartmentalized with many kids within a year of their own age? Yes, I know youre talking grade-wise. But at a lot of middle schools (where a lot of Zutariansyes, THAT is how it is spelled! THERE IS AN I!went to school), there are kids in the age range of eleven to fourteen or fifteen. And a lot of times, fourteen year olds have to be within five feet of twelve year olds for a somewhat prolonged period of time that might actually involve talking to them. And none of the fourteen year olds want to make out with the twelve year olds.
And just because Aang was the first boy Katara had seen in two years who was over the age of approximately 7, excepting her brother doesnt mean that she has to love him. There are several boys that they met on their travelsmost notably Haru, Teo, Jet, and, of course, Zuzu. The person Katara falls in love with could be any one of them (except Jet, considering he died). It doesnt have to be Aang just because he was the first older boy she had seen in two years. And the almost like a man part? Watch the first episode again, sweetheart, and you will find that this is easily countered.