Relationships with large age gaps: Can they actually work?

[Sombre]

I'm pretty mature for my age. Pretty world experienced - lived in numerous locations, countries, etc. And find a lot of guys my age just don't catch my attention. The average one I've encountered is immature in comparison. Always been interested in older men but can *large* (15+ years) age gap relationships actually work?

Yes

No

Maybe

[WalterRadio]

Of course!

As I have grown older, the age of women I date has not. The result is that now I am older than my gf's mother. She (and several ex-gf's about her age) would marry me this weekend if I asked her. My objective is not marriage, and she knew that when we met. But by all accounts, our relationship (and others I've had) works great.

My sister's husband is 20 years older than she is.
I have several married friends who have 25 and even 30 year age gaps and they are very happy.

I think what you and these other women have in common is that you appreciate the maturity, wisdom, experience, and stability of older men. It gives you a feeling of security and that is comforting.

[Sombre]

I think your last sentence is very accurate.

[truthbeknown]

I could date a younger woman, but I am not interested in marriage or kids. Too old for that. Many guys feel the same way, they have already traveled that road and do not wish to go down it again. So if you want to be married and have kids, older guys may not be the best choice.

[Avicenna]

Plenty of us are still up for that

[truthbeknown]

@Avicenna You're on your own. No one I know in our age range wants to change diapers again unless they are grandchildren.

[Hurlyburly]

It might, but the possibility of it not working out because of the two of you being in different life stages gets higher with the age difference.

[Dog20]

lol i went on a date with an older guy, we talked for a year. He's pretty flaky through

[AiahZ]

My sophomore year in college I started dating one of the senior admissions officers (I should have done that BEFORE starting college!). He was 35, I was 18. I didn't have any problem with it. He was a terrific guy. But as summer rolled around, he was getting more and more nervous I'd cheat on him with a younger guy. He was convinced our age difference meant that I couldn't be into him. It was the first and only time in my entire life I was dumped. When he did it, he acted like he was doing me a big favor. :) All because he'd bought into society's message that people have to be close to each other's ages to have a shot. With all the crap in the world, you'd think everyone would be happy two people care about each other. I say, f*k what other people think or say. If someone you like likes you back, just make each other happy.

[Giggletr0n]

Yeah but one of the biggest hurdles is the difference in maturity, especially if your, for example, someone in their late 30s dating a 19 year old. There's the public taboo of it as well. It can definitely work but it's probably more effort than what it's worth.

[alice55]

It work, most important is people mental age not physical age. Personally I always got along better with older guys (in their ate 20s and early 30s ever since I was 14 / 15 ). So personally i believe is it more of a mental age than anything else.

[zagor]

Sure. As long as both parties are aware that a large age difference can be a complicating factor and go in with both eyes open, there is no reason it can't work out. And if it doesn't, well, lots of same age relationships don't work out either.

[LiamSawyer]

That age gap works great but only if your older then me, so you need to be 32 or more for it to work beyond your wildest dreams!

[Thatsamazing]

A person is a person, and another person is another person. The persons meet. They like each other. They're attracted to each other.

... Okay, so, what's the problem again?

[kill_joy69]

They're awkward if people pass by you
And if you are the young one you just seem like a gold digger it could work out but I personally would rather not be in one

[Avicenna]

Yes they can. A couple can be compatible even with some relatively large age differences.

[Liam_Hayden]

Yes they can, but BOTH partners need to be able to deal with the possible generational differences as well as the external pressures.

[winterfox10]

I'm sure that they could work, in theory, but I've never seen one work in my life.

[Furuok]

My friend can only be understanding, first must except that any number of reasons. Christ must be strong in the relationship or it's just sex.

[paul6965]

depends always on the partner , because age only is a number, love doesn't matter the age.

[Pete671]

I'm 56 and my girlfriend is 78, we just seem to click on every level,,,

[Anonymous]

I hope yes because I like someone 10 years older than me.

[Exorcist_Rampage]

Yes. They work when both are willing to make them work.

[Rotexas]

I was in my early twenties and I was dating somebody that was almost 50. Our relationship worked very well.

[Anonymous]

I'm 23 and my boyfriend is 39. And with him It's the best relationship I can think of.

[Razal]

yes if compatibility and affection is there its very much possible

[stepdaddy]

Yes. My girlfriend is 6 years younger. I usually like younger women too.

[Anonymous]

It can work if you have the same interests and desires