Age difference between a couple?

Question

What is the limit that society puts on the age difference between a couple? Is it 5 years? 10? 20? When does it become an issue?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I don't think it's so much a question of chronological age as it is maturity.

For example, the eight years between a 16-year-old and a 24-year-old is a lot different than the eight years between a 25-year-old and a 33-year-old.

Life experience and emotional maturity matters a lot more, IMHO, than just numbers.

Answer 2

As long as both parties are over 18, I don't know that it really matters so much although, there is often a maturity issue until at least about age 20. My dad was 20 years older than my mom when they married and they raised 7 children until she died at age 42. On Answers, I've seen limits of up to about 30 years from the women, but more commonly about 20.

Answer 3

who cares what society thinks and why should society decide whats a good limit...my husband is 20 years older then me,we will be married for 11 years this may and have an almost 5 year old child...shouldnt become an issue,hasn't in my case...just because one party is older don't assume the older person will be the one to suffer from medical issues or other stigmas..as long as both parties are of legal age then its no big deal in my opinion

Answer 4

Its only an issue if you want it to become one. A person of child bearing years is looked down on for marrying someone 20 yrs older. That person will be seen as a Grandparent by the time a child is 18. This can cause regret and shame to a child.
Once you are past the prime child bearing years, Who cares?
Its more of being on the same psychological level at the same time is a big issue. 5 yrs is probably best, 10 yrs max. 20 too long of a gap.

Answer 5

It only becomes an issue when one of the two is too young. I think a person has to be at least 20 or so to have a maturity to get into a serious relationship and then age doesn't necessarily matter. Remember Charlie Chaplin was some 35 years older than his wife and they were married until the day he died, and she has never gone out with anyone since his death saying no one else could compare.

Answer 6

With couples that are legal adults- I'd have to say 10 years is the limit. But in the California there is a 3 year allowance so if a girl is only 17 and you're 20 it's still legal. You might want to check in other states. Either way.. like it says in the song "age ain't nothin but a number..."

Answer 7

In a relationship, age doesn't matter. It becomes an issue if someone just uses the other. For example, having a relationship with an old man just to be the talk of the town, etc.

Answer 8

It becomes an issue if the one person is a minor and the other is not.
If one person is 18, I would not recommend that person dating anyone older than 5 years..for maturity reasons.
If you are 25, don't date anyone younger than 21.
If you are 30, don't date anyone younger than 23.
If you are 35 and up, don't date anyone younger than like 26.
So yeah, I would recommend no more than 5-6 years difference simply for the maturity reasons.

Answer 9

I doesn't bother me as much.
I'm dating someone who's two years younger than me, almost three, and it's the best relationship I've ever been in.
I don't care what others think about it, I'm the happiest I've ever been, and so is he.
But when it comes to twenty years or more, it's pushing the limit to me.
Love is love, and no person should have a say in it unless it's the two people in the relationship.

Answer 10

I don't think there is any age limit on that. If you love someone it shouldn't make a difference. Although the more years apart you are the less you might share common interest.