Age Gaps – Do they matter?

According to a YouGov survey conducted in 2011, 62% of 25 – 39 year olds think that it’s ok to date someone 10 years their senior, however this percentage drops down to 15% when asked about a 20 year age gap.

So is age just a number? Can a couple with 10 or even 20 years between them really work? Well if Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas (25 years her senior) are anything to go by, yes they absolutely can. Equally, Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart (22 years his junior) appear to be going strong. But then, being married to Indiana Jones must be pretty damn cool – even if he is getting on a bit… 

PROs

1) The likelihood is, an older lady or gentleman will ‘have their shit together.’ i.e., you can spend Sunday mornings in a beautifully decorated kitchen sipping coffee fresh out of their espresso machine. As opposed to eating coco pops out of a mug surrounded by numerous housemates. Ok, so that’s a stereotype and a massive generalisation but one of the perks of dating someone older must be the benefits of a more comfortable lifestyle.

2) Perhaps more important than nice red wine and oh-so-fluffy dressing gowns is their emotional maturity. If your date has had previous long term relationships they're bound to be a bit more mature when it comes to relationship issues. They know what works and what doesn’t – no game playing.

3) And finally, the stability. Freud might have something to say about it, but dating someone 10 to 20 years your senior comes with a sense of commitment, they appear to be solid and someone to be trusted. They’re probably not going to get wasted on Jeagur and wake-up in a stranger’s bed. Well, we’d assume.

CONs

1) You’re both at different ‘life stages.’ Perhaps your partner is ready to settle down, get married and have kids, but you’re still quite happy enjoying your youth. This has to be the biggest issue, although it’s an issue in all relationships. If you’re not on the same page long-term then you’ll come across some difficulties in the future.

2) Introducing them to the parents. Just weird.

Ultimately, like the other 62% we agree that age is just a number. If you’re (excuse the cliché) ‘in love’, then who’s to say you shouldn’t be together. There’s a chance it won’t work out but that’s the case with every relationship, 20 year age gap or not. And hey, Brad Pitt’s 52….so point proven…

What do you think?

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