Can A Relationship Work When One Partner Is Much Older Than The Other?

“In the past, I had two affairs with older men, and in both cases, I was fully confident that I could not be afraid of immature games. In addition, this is a person who has learned a lot from past relationships and mistakes made”- another revelation from the female side. Any man older than you is only dating available at you for the sex, maybe not after years in the relationship but your first interactions were only him trying to have sex with a «fresh» young girl, not a old lady there age. You are in a relationship with your guy, you feel it’s the right thing to do, you are not in a relationship with your parents.

He gave me helpful advice on my career (“Don’t fuck your boss”) and about sex (“Stop screaming”). 28-year-old Cara says she felt conflicted about her mother’s two-year relationship with a 26-year-old artist. “In one sense, I thought it was great she could attract a young, good-looking guy,” says Cara. “At the same time, I couldn’t help but think she was being immature and a total hypocrite. Statistically, marriages are most likely to succeed when the partners share common interests – but there are no carved-in-granite rules about ideal age differences between spouses. However, if you and your spouse are comfortable with each other’s ages, then it will at least give you some solid ground with which to deal with any naysaying in-laws.

Trust Your Teen

I got a boyfriend who is 28 year older than me. I am right under 18 and we will wait until I am 18, and he does that for me because i wanna wait, I need to get mentally prepared to tell everybody, heheh. There is nothing wrong with falling in love, and we should never fear it. Just because you are younger doesn’t predict anything, especially for those of you who are thinking so outside the box with these 30 year difference love stories….. You dont even know what you dont know which for the rest of us, is at least, entertaining. I love to connect with people in similar situations.

Those who find DiCaprio’s dating habits distasteful aren’t without good reason. Aversions to age-gap relationships are very common and, like most taboos, they stem from thousands of years of evolution as well as more recent social and cultural cues. McNeil adds that as an adult, you might cognitively know that your parent is entitled to their own life and that you want them to be happy. But you might still harbor a childlike belief that they should be available to you when you need them and should possess a selfless approach to their own lives. You’ve heard the idea that «birds of a feather flock together»? This maxim is generally true when it comes to love.

Coming Out as Gay to Your Parents

Yes, she thought I was making a huge mistake and that my now-husband must be some kind of sick predator to want me. I think that’s a reasonable enough reaction for a parent, especially given what few facts she knew. It was my own decision to let her have her differing feelings on the subject without trying to talk her out of them or let them bother me. She, in turn, reached a point where she stopped trying to control my relationship and maintained a civil demeanor regarding my husband. It took her the better part of three years before she accepted him as family, and started accepting that there are things to like about him and that he treats me well. I am extremely lucky to have parents who understand I live my own life and choose my happiness.

This can help you process what you want to say so that you can present your new relationship in the best way possible. That way, when the time comes, you’ll be able to get it out without stopping. WikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 32 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. We’ve joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

It’s weird when my mom visits and they’re talking about shows that were on TV before I was born, but that’s about it. We like the same hobbies and want similar things out of life. The only downside, and it’s sad, is that we’ll never be one of those couples that is together 50 years. Conversation is a two-way street, not simply one person asking and the other answering.

How are all of these age differences acceptable? I have some theories.

Maybe I will regret this decision one day, but if so I need to figure that out for myself and not from my family. I took my boyfriend to my company Christmas party and everyone there was accepting and told me they could see how in love we are. I wish that my family would take the chance to see what I see when I see my boyfriend. A guy who has a big heart and a great sense of humor, and a guy who treats me right and respects me. When I look at him I do not see his age, and I hope that one day my parents and family will be able to do the same and accept us and our happiness.

Ultimately, the day-to-day emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that define a relationship are known only by those in the relationship, not by nosy outsiders. When partners are well-suited, regardless of their age gap, they can have a strong, satisfying partnership. For other couples, however, age is much more than a number. 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. I agree, it’s probably nice to warn your parent ahead of time with a huge gap, but try not to insist on a positive, accepting reaction immediately.

Hi Christina – I don’t know about the age gap, but you probably shouldn’t be with someone who is emotionally abusive. Every day we come across some sort of judgement whether it’s from family or just people who pass us in the street. And of course — a 40yo man dating someone this much younger does say something about him. Honestly he’s only going to go downhill from here, get grumpy, miserable and make you old before your time. If it was 6 years, 8 years difference it would be so much easier. I am a part computer algorithm, part real relationship expert, who can give advice on everything regarding relationships.