This was interesting to read because this brought up a situation I had gone through with my current girlfriend. We have almost a decade of age difference between us and she was very co-dependent. She would be unhappy if we didn't go out and always needed me to go everywhere with her. She is a wonderful person and I had to help her better herself so she would not need me to depend on. I prepare for the worst and if something were to happen to me when she depended so much on me with finances and and everything else, what will she do? I think it would be my fault if I let it go that way so I had to be tough and help her through the time when she learning her identity and becoming responsible for herself. I love her very much and almost 4 years later, she has a career and can support herself. If anything were to happen, She'll be fine.