What is the maximum age difference appropriate for a romantic relationship?

Question

5 10 20 years?

Answer 1

I don't think we should allow society to dictate age restrictions in relationships. There is a 21 year age gap between my boyfriend and I (I'm 27). I have never been happier in my life. Just like with any relationship, it needs to have the essentials like trust, understanding, communication, interests, goals, etc. If those elements are in place, then nothing else matters. Love is the greatest feeling in the world, and age shouldn't stop anyone from experiencing it.

Answer 2

Makes a big difference whether the older person is the male or female. And it matters how long term you expect the relationship to be.

A male 10 years older is ok for a long-term relationship/marriage, but anything more could very easily cause big time problems later on. 60 year old women are generally still considered middle aged, they aren't excessively wrinkled, they aren't wearing diapers, they like to go out and socialize. 80 year old man rarely do.

I think something like 3 or 4 years is probably safe if the woman is the older person for a long term relationship. Men stay young sexually much longer than women and there are potential problems when you get into your 60s, and the women is 10 years older than the wife of every other guy his age (since most wives will be younger than their husbands). If you marry a woman more significantly older, you'll be the one with the wife everyone thinks is your mother during the mid-life crisis years. That isn't something that bodes well for a good relationship.

For short term stuff, I think a woman being more than 10 years older or so is a little gross. Cheap sex, whatever, but dating is a little much. For the males that are older, 15 years is probably pushing it. Maybe 20 if you are a really youthful looking guy, but still it should be a relatively short term thing.

Answer 3

If you do care about what others think of you, nobody is going to judge you for a max. difference of 10 years (man older than woman). If the woman is older, it wouldn't matter as long as she doens't look older than the guy. That would be socially accepted.

But if you don't care about others but what yourself are getting into, there is not an appropiated age, as long as the two involved get along well with each other in matter of sex, keeping a conversation, going out with friends and even waching movies.

I knew a couple where the woman was 17 years older than the man, and they were together for 11 years (broke up because he wanted to have children and she already couldn't). And myself, I'm involved in a 5 year old relationship where the difference of age is 19 years (she's 33, he's 52 but young looking) and we have been happily married without having any problems about age difference, and if we had stopped to think about what it would be in 10-20 or more years, or what others would think or how it would look, we would have missed years of happiness together!

I hope it helps.

Answer 4

it really matters how you relate to each other. Age is just a number. Now if I was 18 and was dating a 85 year old man and we both could get around the wame amount, meaning he could keep up with me and I with him, what does it matter. I have dated men no younger than 3 years younger than I am. But I had dated a man that was 65 when I was 30. We had a lot of the same interests in music and pasttimes and hangouts. He always treated me like a lady and he was more of a gentleman to me than many other men I have met. We didn't necessarily have to have sex, but we did, once, after we had know each other for almost 2 years. It wasn't the crazy fast paced wild humping sex, it was sweet and tender and all about me. Plus, he DID NOT have to take a pill beforehand.
Make sure both of you are of legal age too ;D Of course!

Answer 5

I think thats according to preference. What is appropriate depends on the people involved. I, as a 30yr old woman, would not be interested in someone 18.. but then again, I wouldn't be interested in someone that was 45. There would be nothing in appropriate about either one of those relationships, it's just that neither one would be for me. As long as the people involved are happy and have the most sincere of intention towards each other, there is no age limit.

Answer 6

I'm 53 and act 13, that's the x's opinion though. Actually for myself, I'd think no more than ten years either way as any more could be problematic. Lots depends on how you think , especially on how adaptable you are, and to be frank, older as well as younger people seem to think they have all the answers. There is a definite sweet spot of several years where people are so much more open minded and willing to evolve. Relationships these days require Both partners to be adaptable and a 50/50 relationship is always best in my eyes.

Answer 7

How many times a day does this question get asked?

If both parties are over 18 then I don't think there should a a limit to age difference if both are consenting more power to them!

If both parties are under 18 then it's tricky. I think parents should take an active interest in what age their children start dating and set specific ground rules. Personally I wouldn't want my son or daughter to start dating until they were 14.

Answer 8

11

Answer 9

It is relative to the participants in the relationship. I think there is no real answer to this question as all humans vary greatly mentally and emotionally. Age really isn't important in the context of a romantic relationship.

Answer 10

its not what is the appropriate age difference, its more being sure first they are legal...of course, and then what you both expect to get out the the relationship in the future. I mean, if she is 18 and your 40, she will surely tire of you. plus, she is going to want kids and such.. you want your kid in college when your in your 60's? on the other hand, if she is 40 and your 60, she has matured and by this time in life she should know what she wants.