Are age-gap relationships unhealthy?

Many people assume that age-gap couples fare poorly when it comes to relationship outcomes. But some studies find the relationship satisfaction reported by age-gap couples is higher. These couples also seem to report greater trust and commitment and lower jealousy than similar-age couples.

What is a significant age gap?

These “age-gap” relationships, sometimes called “May-December” relationships, are comprised of one person who is markedly older than the other. When a significant age gap exists between partners, age becomes a salient issue, sometimes a deal-breaker in the early stages of relationship development.

How much age difference is acceptable in a relationship?

It is an exciting time for experimenting with dating. The old rule of determining a socially-acceptable age difference in partners goes something like this: half your age plus seven (40 = 20 +7 = 27) to define the minimum age of a partner and your age minus seven times two (40 = 33 * 2 = 60) to define the maximum age of a partner.

Is it bad to talk about your age in a relationship?

Getting into constant arguments about your partner’s age is no way to live, so plan a simple—and ideally polite—response that shuts down further discussions of your partner’s age. Although age differences can create some challenges in your relationship, focusing too much on age can backfire.

What happens when there is an age gap in a relationship?

Age Differences Can Make People Uncomfortable Age gaps between partners can generate self-consciousness about one’s relationship, concerns that the relationship won’t work, and hypersensitivity towards others’ ideas about the appropriateness of a relationship. In these cases, age gaps are observable; obvious. A 15-year span, a 25-year span.

Is it possible to fall in love with an older man?

Age differences don’t have to be a negative thing. You cannot always help who you fall in love with, and sometimes, the person may be quite older — or younger — than yourself. Naysayers may tell you it won’t work out; however, according to couples who are in such partnerships, there are ways to make it work.