What Is a Good Age Difference in a Relationship?
There is a life-long dispute on what’s the best age difference between a man and a woman. Many of us are familiar with the “divide their age by two and add seven” equation used to figure out if a person you are dating is too old or young for you. Using this test, you can calculate the youngest and the most senior age that’s appropriate for you to have romantic relationships with. It’s generally considered that the ideal age gap in a relationship is much smaller than you might suggest.
However, there are many examples of famous couples with a large age gap. For example, Beyoncé and Jay Z are 12 years apart. There is a 17-years age difference between George and Amal Clooney. Do you know other examples of famous couples with a big age difference? Please mention them in a comment below this post.
Some Studies about Age Gap
In the research run by Emory University in 2014, couples with a one-year age gap have a mere 3% of getting divorced. When there is a 5-years difference between a man and a woman, the risk of divorce increases by up to 18%. A 10-year gap has a 39% of divorce, while a 20-year age difference may end up in 95% of divorce. So, it seems that one year is the best gap for a happy romantic relationship. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rules. Couples with a one-year difference can still go through breakups.
In a study conducted by the co-founder of OkCupid Christian Rudder, you can learn that women tend to look for a partner of the same age as them, or maybe one or two years older. Men, regardless of their age, prefer women in their 20s. Relying on the stats provided above, we may assume that relationships with a significant age difference will hardly last for long.
Besides the age gap question, several more components define the success of any relationship. It includes shared values and beliefs, the art of communication, the ability to come up with conflict resolutions, intimacy, and support of your partner. As you can see, none of these factors has anything to do with age. However, only when there is a balance between a man and a woman can the couple build a healthy relationship.
How to determine Lasting Relationships
In a study run by the Emory University in Atlanta, 3000 participants were researched. The researchers considered the participants’ demographics, the longevity of their relationships with partners, or the lack of those. Information about relationships was not widely available several years ago, so the study made the respective area more comprehensive.
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The study aimed to research how much partners’ engagement and wedding expenditures affect the longevity of relationships. They concluded that the two points as mentioned above do not influence the period that a man and a woman spend together. They conducted that there is a series of other factors that have a direct effect on the outcome of romantic relationships between the two. It includes:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- Religion and religious attendance
- Education level
- Employment status
- Income
- Size of family
As a result, the study came up with a series of other conclusions different from their primary goal. However, the results they obtained helped researchers better understand the importance of age difference in a couple. They conducted it’s the key factor that makes the relationship last long, provided that there is not a large age gap between partners. The study also made a series of conclusions aimed to provide a better understanding of romantic trends in relationships and the primary factors that influence them.
Reasons Why Some Relationships End up with Divorce
There are many reasons why relationships may end up with divorce. However, why is it the “years” factor that causes breakups? Let’s see.
Researches show that couples with 10 and more age gap tend to be looked down upon. They commonly receive a lot of negative feedback and social disapproval. A coupe may not receive the desired approval from their relatives and friends. Because of the age difference, the relationship commitment between the two may rise, which means people are more likely to break up.
Different goals and values
When you are 30, you have different issues, goals, and values than a person who is 20. A couple can always build a healthy relationship while communicating and finding solutions to different things. However, differences like these can put severe tension in a relationship.
Here is the nice article about dating in your 30s.
Bedroom chemistry
Intimacy is an essential factor that plays a big role in a healthy and happy relationship. The point is that older people have lowered intimacy drive. Women have difficulty with having children at older ages, and men are less interested in staying with their partners in bed as they used to be some time ago.
Dating partners close to your age
It’s a common practice for people all around the world to date partners in their age groups. The percentage of such couples in some non-Western countries is higher than the number of such relationships in Western countries. In Western countries, 8% of all relationships involve an age difference of 10 years and more. In heterosexual relationships, only 1% of couples have a woman older than men, while in the remaining 99%, men are older than women.
According to the research conducted by OkCupid’s co-founder, Christian Rudder, selecting a partner’s age differs based on demographics. Women prefer dating men who are close to them in the age group. Men like younger ladies, who are typically in their 20’s. Yet, the majority of people prefer to settle down with partners of their age group. To the biggest degree, it’s explained by meeting a love match in some common social media circles, sharing the same interest, following some common goals, etc.
Different studies reveal different results
Many studies aim to find out the connection between age difference and the longevity of relationships. While many assume that a smaller age gap has a more positive effect on relationship satisfaction, others believe couples with a bigger age gap are happier and have better romantic relationships. Such studies reveal that couples with a large age gap have more trust and commitment than couples in the same age group.
Other studies have found that 75% of couples with a younger generation than men have better relationships.
Bottom Line about Age Difference
Studies show that a one-year difference is a perfect gap that makes men and women feel comfortable as they stay together. A larger gap can result in a higher risk of divorces. However, it’s not always the age difference that makes people live happily together or break up. There are many other factors that have a direct effect on the success of your relationship. It includes everything starting from how comfortable you will be while staying with your partner, whether or not you have common interests, how much obsessed you are with one another, etc. A big age gap between you and your partner doesn’t doom your relationship. It means that you will need to work a little bit harder to live happily together.
And what is the age gap between you and your partner? For how long have you been together? We will appreciate seeing your insights.
