how old is too old when it comes to age difference in a relationship?

Question

thank you for answering

Answer 1

No age gap is too far, people can care for other people across the age barrier, as long as interests and ways of thinking are similar.
But it depends on how much you care what others (or society) think.

Answer 2

Think about the levels of life experience. If a 13 year old high school freshman dates a 17 or 18 year old high school senior, the senior is too old for the freshman because the senior has more school and life experience and supposed maturity.

If a high school senior is dating a college student, that's too much age difference too... look how diverse their experiences are! Living away from home in an adult world is far different from the sheltered experiences of being in high school.

If a college student dates an adult 2+ years out of college, it would depend on how close the student is from graduating and living life as an adult.

However, when two adults are in a relationship, it is their maturity and life experiences which bond them. May-December relationships (or relationships with a lot of age separating the couple) can survive if the couple understands they have very different generational experiences.
For example, a 20 year old still in college will have problems understanding the way a 50 year old who grew up listening to the Beatles and Beach Boys, Vietnam and black & white tv thinks and responds. And that younger person will eventually grow tired of the health issues and slower pace of the older partner.

There is never a "too old", unless the younger person is under the legal age of consent.

Answer 3

I think that decision is totally up to the people involved in the relationship. If you are both comfortable with the age difference then that's all that matters. If two people are happy together & enjoy each other's company that's all that matters. I am in a relationship with someone who is 6 years younger than me. Although, I do get teased occasionally, it doesn't matter to me because this person is special to me.I know of people who are 11 years difference.

Also, age in years does not always measure the person. Some people act older than their years & some act younger, so besides chronological measures of age, how do we really say how old someone is?

I guess bottom line is, if both people are ok with the difference, than it's no one else's business......as long as both people are of legal age of course, then you get into an entirely different subject.

Answer 4

I think it depends on what part of life you are in. For example if you are in high school and you date someone 10 years older then you then subtract 10 years from your life and that would be how old you were when they were in school. If that age difference kind of freaks you out then i think there is too much of an age difference between you. But then again love has no age and that is what i have always been told.

Answer 5

I have a general rule... if they are old enough to be your mother or father, then you have crossed a line. Also, I believe that if you are younger you shouldn't be dating someone that old.

I think up to about 15 years is okay. The difference between whether or not you should be dating someone who is 5, 10, 15 years older than you would depend on your level of maturity and the level of maturity of the other person.

But if you are...
18 to 20 - not over 23
21 to 24 - not over 30
25 to 100 - 15 year rule

When you are younger your age differences are more pronounced.

Answer 6

There is no standard answer to this, but I'll go out on a limb and say 20 years, max. If a man is 20 years older than a woman say 25, it's still feasible because a 45 year old man is still in reasonable shape, if he's taken care of himself. The same holds true for a woman...but beyond that it gets a little sketchy!

Answer 7

It seems like when you're younger, like around 20, +/-5 years, anything more than a 3-5 year difference is a bit much. But once you get over about 35, it seems like even a 15-20 year difference is acceptable, although I don't really like the thought of it. Try and go for someone who is at least 5 years within your age.

Answer 8

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 9

I started dating a 34 year old soon after I turned 20. Age is not a big deal as long as you like each other. I wouldn't worry about an age difference as long as your both legal.

Answer 10

It depends on the age group you are talking about. whereas, for teenagers, 2 years can be a big difference, in older adults, 10 years is not a big deal, It is an age and maturity thing.

Answer 11

If you have to say to anyone, "Age doesn't really matter. It's about the personality and the maturity of the person" to someone regarding the relationship, then the age difference is always too great. Move on to the next loser.