1. That must be quite frustrating and difficult for your self esteem.

2. You may be right, but you might be putting your own insecurities on to the motivations of others. The world from other people's perspective don't always align with what we think. Could what you describe be as easily explained by something else, perhaps even your insecurity about it?

3. Have you discussed this issue with friends / family and gotten their honest thoughts? Do they agree that what you say could pose a problem?

4. Have you attempted to make yourself look older with makeup and such? Are the results the same with as without?

5. Do you have male friends you can ask if you are attractive?

6. Are there republican conventions nearby? If the men there show interest and say you're mature for your age, you may want to A. Run B. Conclude that your features may be a challenge.

7. If men don't approach and talk to you, try approaching and talking to them. Showing you're interested and available is usually a turn on. Men are simple.

Best of luck.

Guys are probably just as socially awkward as you. Maybe get in situations where you can have conversations with a group containing guys. They'll soon pick up you're an adult from how you talk, and you can see if you like each other as people, not just on looks.

This was me. When I got married at 26, the date of one of the guests thought I was the teenaged babysitter. (We met for the first time the day before)

Dating while in school/college was easier because the guys knew I was their age. And that I just looked young. Some of them caught shit for "dating a high schooler" even though I was actually in my 20s and a college student.

I was friends with my now husband for three years before we got married. Making friends with people, making a connection, can help them see you as the adult you are. Then you start to look like someone they'd want to date. I was 23 when we met and became friends, we started dating over a year later. Dated for 2 years and married ever since.

Things are different now, as far as meeting people. I know that. But how people perceptions change is still the same. Sometimes you have to just let people get to know you and get past the initial "She's young" until they realize you are not that young.

Once someone knows you, they'll think of you as their peer, even if you look young (or old for that matter)

If you just want hookups, that's trickier. Because the easy pickings are um, questionable in their tastes when you look like a teenager. Or they are the teenagers. Just be careful if you go that route.

Oh, and I was an A cup, size 2 petite. So skinny and short on top of looking young. I also got mistaken for a boy if my hair was pulled back.

Learning to love my body and it's changes through the years, boosting my self-esteem, finding things I could be passionate about... those things are very attractive to others because those things make you feel better about yourself.

Hello, woman here. I wouldn't chalk it first hand to child like features. As long as you don't have an elbow growing from your forehead, and as long as you bathe regularly you should be alright physically. You get a pass so to speak. By all means keep doing whatever you feel is the right thing to do about your looks, but don't put all the energy there.

I'd say it's more your attitude, since you mention being socially awkward. I speak as someone who faced similar woes to yours, with the aggravant of being told to be attractive.

If you keep to yourself most people will let you be and not bother you. Guys will hit on girls they can talk to and feel comfortable talking to.

My suggestion would be join a group or activity that you enjoy. Bonus points if it is a group activity, but don't let this restrict your options. This gives you access to people with similar interests, which already breaks down the ice, and also gives you something to talk about yourself if you meet people elsewhere. It's helpful when socializing if you have something other than work and study in your life, like a hobby or a passion.

Just pluck up the courage to hit on guys... 80% of men will find that in of itself attractive, especially the more shy ones. As another comment said, men are fucking simple.

Try talking to them, keep a conversation going long enough they'll realize they're talking to an adult. Talking and making connections is the most important thing.

Is there anything you can do to make yourself look your age? Makeup, clothing, push-up bra, etc? Maybe go to age restricted locations (for example, in the U.S. there are some bars that require patrons to be at least 18/21 and they check ID’s at the door to verify)?

It is a toupee fallacy to claim that bait/fake posts are always so easy to spot, but this is definitely a toupee here.

Edit: Damn, people are seriously responding to this. I thought it couldn't be more obvious.

First of all you may be right or wrong about the reason. But you can't really change looking young (other than by sitting around and waiting, which is not very fun). So you'll get a lot of mileage by coming to terms with what you look like. For your own peace of mind if nothing else.

You can artificially change your looks to a limited degree with makeup. I'm no expert.

Are you putting yourself into positions where it's socially acceptable and/or easy for men to approach you? Are you looking like you want to be approached? Headphones on while reading in the library makes me think you'll want me dead if I say hi. Near me at the table at a social gathering it's rude of me not to introduce myself and attempt some small talk (as long as you're not talking to your friends already).

Why is your brand new account tagged as a bot account?

Ever try hanging out at a crowded bar? Anywhere where you have to show id to enter should help.

Also, do you have female friends? You should be hanging out with them and doing things where you meet people as a group.