Is age just a number when it comes to dating and relationships?

[coachTanthony]

Yes

No

[LiamJHayden]

To me yes, but with limitations. I've dated 17 years older. My mom was nearly 45 when I was born, so that did not have the weirdness factor that it might have had if my mom had been 18 or 20 when I came to be. But I doubt I'd date a woman more than 20 years older.

[Shark_61695]

In theory, yes. In practice, a large age difference is probably tougher initially.

[nastyb]

its not tougher initially. its usually tougher in later stages of the relationship or marriage. at some point, you will find yourself married to a senior citizen and its up to you to make things work

[OlderAndWiser]

No. An age difference becomes significant when one of the potential partners is very young or very old.

If I am 25 and a girl is 16, that's not just a number; it's a CRIME!

If I am 65 and the lady is 85, that's not just a number; it's an invitation to a funeral.

When I was 23, I dated a woman who was 46. We got along well but she ultimately broke up with me because she decided that we had no long-term future together and I must simply be using her for sex. I did enjoy the sex but that was not my sole attraction to her. However, she was right; what future would we have with that much age difference?

I think that for most middle-aged people, a difference of up to 10 years is tolerable, and for some people, it may even be preferable. Some younger women seem to have a need for a somewhat older partner who gives them stability, security, and appreciation as only an older man can appreciate a younger woman.

For some people, an age difference is categorized as creepazoid and they would never want their friends to see them with a partner who is 10 years older.

[nastyb]

thats a misconception. women tend to like older men but not significantly older. I'm 27, I would only go for a guy who is under 37. I"m not looking to date my father.

[OlderAndWiser]

@nastyb Okay, but you don't represent all women. In the past three years, I have had two women in their 30's express an interest in me. Yes, there are women who would date or marry a man who is old enough to be their father. This is particularly true in some cultures, such as the Latina cultures of South America.

[nastyb]

@OlderAndWiser

you're just trying to boost your own ego. because reality is... the average age difference between married couples in us is just 3-4 years. take a look at the marriage data. most women prefer men who are slightly older but not signfiicantly older.

Plus, there are plenty of foreign women living under starving conditions in latin america and asia looking to marry an American for a green card. just cuz a woman shows interest, it doesn't mean she wants you.

[OlderAndWiser]

@nastyb Thanks for all of those explanations, but. . .

No, I'm not trying to boost my ego. I have never chased after younger women to boost my ego. I am simply not to hung up on age. When I was 63, I dated a woman who was 81, and another woman who was 78.

I never said that most American women want a much older man. What I said was, "Some younger women seem to have a need for a somewhat older partner." Remember? SOME younger women.

The women who expressed an interest in me were 1) a Brazilian who is the sole heir of a wealthy family, and 2) a woman who is already in the US, self-sufficient, and a citizen. The woman to whom I am engaged is a 59 year old Chinese woman. She has been a citizen for many years and was employed as a successful realtor when I met her.

Do you want to take any other shots at me? One last chance.

[nastyb]

@OlderAndWiser

firstly, i doubt she is from a wealthy family. Secondly, if you had access to such wealthy high status people, you wouldn't have to be on GAG writing immature nonsense about other people. You would have such a glamorous social network. You wouldn't have to be on here. Just because someone is from a wealthy family, it does not mean they are rich or will actually inherit any money. I have seen plenty of young people whose millionare parents cut them off financially. And they work jobs like everyone else. Their parents are rich, they aren't.

secondly, a 59 yr old woman really doesn't have many options at that age. Its not that she is not attracted to younger, hotter men. Its just that she can't get them. which is why she has to date a senior citizen.

[OlderAndWiser]

@nastyb I assume that nastyb is a condensed form of name and I think I know what the b stand for. I don't care to have any more conversation with someone like you. Goodbye.

[AnotherDay88]

You're 68 years old. Wouldn't you get at least little bit skeptical if a woman in her 30s wanted to go out with you?

[OlderAndWiser]

@AnotherDay88 Absolutely. . . but not as skeptical if she came from a culture where age differences are not important. My fiancee is 9 years younger than me, but I am healthy and active for my age, still working fulltime, doing labor around the house, and no signs of slowing down soon. Our age difference is insignificant, and we've been together for 2½ years. She's not using me for anything. She works a job and works around the house and is a homebody who never wants to go anywhere without me.

[meetkitty123]

@OlderAndWiser
It's all right hun don't let this post stress you you've been on gag for years you're a pristine gag member you should not let newbies or any member ruffle you up.

Out of so many members on this network you're definitely not one to tute their own horn quite honestly you're one of the more modest individuals I know here.

Anyways I hope I don't embarrass you @OlderAndWiser by this admission but I know Older isn't fibbing when he has said that women in their 30s have shown interest in him because I myself have flirted with him. He's a good man.

[zeitgeist057]

@OlderAndWiser lol good call on that conversation closer.

[AviatorTom]

Age is always just a number... not just for dating and relationships.

[Dreamclouds]

That is very well underlined and very true.

[meetkitty123]

Age could be just a number but it depends on the pair some people are compatible some are not. I have met people 10 years younger than me not I would absolutely not date because of their immaturity at the same time I've met people or 10 years younger than me who based on their maturity it shocked me to discover they were 10 years younger than me and not my age.

I have met men for 10 years or more older than me and they still can't get their crap together not on the other hand I've met men who are older than me and are wonderful individuals classy caring and yes sexy. I am definitely a woman who's drawn to silvering hair.

I've dated people who are younger than me same age as me or even older than me. I can't say that the age made a difference at all in any of the relationships.

Most people who know me here on GaG know I married an older man. We got along greatly and the sex was equally as great. I can't blame the issues we had on our age difference. In the end our issues boil down to gambling and gambling addiction can happen at any age. In the end the romance died because of the addiction I am still a companion to him and a friend and I admire him for being the father of my children if he hadn't lied and gambled and put us in debt we would have still been a couple.

Since my separation I've dated here and there I've tried younger I've tried my age I dated much older however that was not exactly by my doing the individual lied about their age... In the end That relationship didn't work but honestly and respect where the issues in that relationship currently I am dating a gag member he's kind and sweet and about 15 years older than me. I can't say where things will go but I'm enjoying his company and companionship.

In the end I believe the most important things in a relationship is honestly patience the ability to listen to each others and knowing how to argue in a healthy manner.

[molonski2]

Far from it , particularly in the example picture shown , he ( at the time ) went that way purely to promote his career , and it worked well and he fcked off , just as we all knew first day.

The younger guy thing can never possibly work , these kind of guys are just after a " mother " , womens options for reproduction are extremely limited , and her clock is always ticking , men are only interested in fertile women ( unless simply caught in a financial trap they can't conclude , then they simply find a stray ) a menopausal woman , with a younger guy , never , ever , ever.

That's just a sickening tragedy , showing the female has zero self respect and is trying to pump up her own tyres , looks horrendous also.

[Anpu23]

I dated a much younger woman when I was in my 30's. She was 19 when we met, and she told me she was 20... later she told me her birthday was right around the corner so I assumed 20 going on 21 (about the youngest I would date). Anyway she was closer in age to my teenage daughter then she was to me, and we had different wants/needs out of life. We eventually broke up over the issue of kids she wanted them i didn't, we're still friends to this day. But there are differences in desires and wants at different ages, don't get me wrong we had a lot of fun, and I remember those times fondly. But ultimately I think a large age gap is difficult to overcome.

[MysticAngel5000]

As long as both people are legal, consenting adults, yes. Some age gaps will be less likely to work than others. For example, if you're 40 and dating someone 18-20, that probably won't work. Your partner is in a whole different age level and definitely not likely to be at your level of maturity. They still have so much left to experience. Now, if you're 40 and dating someone 25 or older, that can work better because you're getting closer to the same age range and your partner would likely have more maturity. Now, keep in mind that some people never seem to mature and some relationships just are not meant to work out even if you're the same age.

[BlackJeep]

Yes and no. I'm with a woman 20 years younger but she seems like my age because she's an old soul, we've had similar life experiences and the same life goals. I've gone out with 10 years younger that seem like more of an age gap. But there's also the fact that not only do I have to save for my retirement but also an additional 20 years after I'm gone

[Unit1]

80% yes.

Now, now. There are very many cases of teenage girls and grandpa boyfriends being in it for very obvious reasons.

Or there might be incompatibility issues since the members involved might be in vastly different stages in life.

[Lionman95]

No not me because I have an easier time bonding with people that are about my generation (+/- 5 years) than with people that are even older or younger than me. For friendships age doesn´t matter but for dating it´s different.

[menina]

No, I don't think so. Age can make a difference when it comes to dating, especially if it's a big age gap. Most of the times, these relationships don't work.

[Flatmanlewis]

No. It’s not just a number. Ages need to blend together for the place in life in which each other finds themselves. I have an almost 9 year age gap over my wife but it works for us for a variety of reasons. Had I met her at 30, when she was 21 - I don’t think I would’ve.


Also, the ability to relate to one another on a deep level (to me) depends on a persons emotional intelligence. I’ve known 25 yr olds who act like they are 15 and 25yr olds who act 60!

[slatyb]

Age is a real thing in the sense that we don't live forever. But any relationship can end at any time, so it's more a question of whether you can meet your goals with someone.

[richardcory]

For casual dating, its all good as long as everyone is of legal age. For long term relationships though, a big age gap can cause all sorts of issues and needs to be thought through carefully

[exitseven]

Yes, if two people are happy with each other and are making the relationship work for them then that is all that counts

[SnowedIn]

For the most part yes. If the two are of legal age, consenting, and happy, then let it go.

[DizzyDesii]

For me personally, no. It matters. But I’ll stick to my range while others have theirs

[gothbxtch]

well, yes and no. not when it comes to gross ass pedo shit. jail is just a place, in that case.

two or more mature and comsentimg adults? yeah, age is just a number then.

[nastyb]

Data shows that large age gap marriages are more likely to divorce and experience a bigger decline in marital satisfaction overtime. So yes... age does matter.

[MyOwnMan2]

Data shoes 50% end in divorce, 90% of divorces are filed by women, and close to 90% are unsatisfied with their marriage

[nastyb]

@MyOwnMan2

well most of these divorce cases are marriages with closer age gaps. but the divorce rates are even higher amongst large age gap couples.

[MyOwnMan2]

Because the man has more money? And there's more for her to take.

[nastyb]

@MyOwnMan2

why do women divorce?

because women lose in marriage. men win in marriage.

women win in divorce. men lose in in divorce

[MyOwnMan2]

Men don't divorce because we are more loyal. Most men were born and bred from warriors and hunters who survived grueling conditions. Never surrendering and never defecting. Women, for forever, have left their tribe for new ones whenever they felt like it.

[nastyb]

@MyOwnMan2

women lose when it comes to marriage. thats why they divorce. doesn't matter how much you want to hunt. this is the truth

[MyOwnMan2]

Is that why it's women who WANT marriage

[nastyb]

@MyOwnMan2

Actually there is a sharper increase in women who dont want marriage or children than men

[MyOwnMan2]

That's only because men are broke. No incentive for them to leave their moms basement anymore for some shit job where they could be fired for looking at a woman

[nastyb]

@MyOwnMan2

Most men are too broke to have kids. I hope you realize that

[ShesRad80]

it can be, two people can be 10 years apart yet get along well have a lot in common while, others the same age can struggle for the very samethings.

[kerrieK001]

It matters b/c you're at different points of your life. It only works if you have a plan for both of you.