Do you think age gap relationships can work?

Question

I'm currently in college (1st year) while he has already graduated and found a job. Can this work out?

Cormac995 · Accepted Answer

I know and greatly respect a man that was a vet in Vietnam serving as a medic. He saved lives and lost brothers but when him in his wife have an age gap of 20 years. They met when she was 19-20 ish I can't remember for sure and fell in love. They have the most loving and healthiest marriage I've ever seen, and they've been married for over twenty years now. They live alone together on a ranch most of the year and constantly play little flirting games together throughout the day. It's adorable. As long as your intentions are love and non-predatory and everyone is of the legal age of consent it's fine and the gap means nothing.

ohsheeT · Accepted Answer

Anything in this world can work if you both want it to.

You have to understand boy girl
Man women relationship.

Is just like having 1 body. 2 heads. 2 brains.

Your either going to make it work because you want it to. And it can be a beautiful thing when both people want the same thing.

But in real life. 2 brains. 2 hearts. 2 legs for each if you can't make it work then one of those brains hearts and 2 legs are going to say I'm going to the store be right back and you never see that person again

ShellyB · Accepted Answer

That is a bigger gap than it may seem just due to what is going on in each of your lives, to answer the question yes it can work, but I would say there is some risk that you will have different interests and might not always have as much to talk about. If you really click and have enough shared experiences and things you do together I think it can work though. JMO good luck!

VIVANT · Accepted Answer

4 years is nothing once you’re an adult and people have relationships where one is in school while one is working so I see no issue. The issue 2 be if you’re not matched intellectually spiritually physically— but it’s not gonna be bc of 4 years.

Finchie40 · Answer

Yes they can , if you both have great chemistry and connection and attraction for each other then that’s pretty much all that matters. Age doesn’t determine the connection you have with someone. I date older and younger girls’ because age doesn’t really matter to me as long as she is legal age of consent of course

sexy_julia · Answer

I was a college student on summer break before beginning my sophomore year. That was when I met my husband. I was 19, and he was 54. When we met, it was love at first sight. Six days later, we fell in love and had sex. I got pregnant a few weeks later, and then we got married in the next two months. Even with the age gap, we remain a strong couple. I love my husband so much. He is my partner and my best friend. Now I’m 35, he’s 70, and we have seven kids. Our oldest is 15, and our youngest is 1. I am currently a month pregnant with our eighth baby.

Zack-Bann · Answer

What’s the gap here? 19 to 23 or 24
Hardly an age gap relationship

The hard part will be that he’s “adulting” while you’re still a student with fewer responsibilities

So while he’s doing his taxes you’re planning spring break

The only way it works is if one of you immerses himself into the life of the other

Either he’s a child at heart and he joins in on your college experience (which is pretty normal if he’s young)

Or you’re mature for your age and skip the frivolities to share a simplistic adult relationship with him

Stevepro68 · Answer

There are many factors many ways to ask this question. As long as you are adults. It's not significant unless you feel it is. In my personal experience I am much older than my girlfriend we have been together for quite a while. We are both very happy for the last 4 years. Her prior work embarrass her my age sometimes embarrassing to me when we first get to know people. Other than that it's not an issue. As soon as she told me she loved old Jean Claude vandam action movies. I knew she was the one... even though when she saw those movies she was like 8 and I was 28. Which is a disturbing thought sometimes.

NathanDavis · Answer

four years difference?

that was the difference with my ex, she had just graduated from college, and I was a few years into the working forces... lol

it worked out just great, no big deal although... it is more about the people and their compatibility, than their age

Raaj4you · Answer

Yes, it can work if the younger person is mature enough to understand the older person's mindset. I mean both partners should understand the wants or needs of each other? what are the both partner's future plans, career paths and family plans? The main issue between young old relationship is maturity and compatibility. Usually younger people's mind is unstable and immature where as older people are confident about what they want/ need from a life and future life partner. Most Older ones want to date seriously, marry and make babies. Most younger immature people don't take life seriously and want to have fun / enjoy life.

NicholasRedone · Answer

Hell no they don't words to the wise owls 🦉 🦉 🦉 😠. The worst is when the day eventually comes that one party or both parties realise "I wasted my time on them" : 😆😛 and also, the larger the gap, the larger the eventual heartbreak 💔 before dusting one's self back into the dating scene and wiser

milknhoneyy · Answer

I don't know that I'd consider that a real "age gap" tbh. It sounds like he graduated at least semi-recently (or you didn't specify otherwise). The older you get, the less it matters, and his life experience is likely not that far ahead of yours.

777GgG · Answer

My guy is younger than me and so far it's working out fine. It only gets weird when we're talking about something in regards to how old we were. We just did a movie marathon. I mentioned seeing the first movie in theaters (2001). He looked at me, cocked his head and said "what?". I had to remind him is was roughly 10 when it came out.

Caroline91 · Answer

It can. It depends on the maturity level of each of you, as well as your mutual commitment to the relationship. However, there are times when where two people are just in a place in their lives, where the time is off. I think timing is really underrated when considering relationships. But the fact that he just graduated means he isn't that far removed from the full college experience and will understand and likely participate in a lot of it with you. Good luck.

lightbulb27 · Answer

I know they can. Like any relationship, it's the formula that works... the effort, commitment, alignment of values and compatability... communication, give and take. There's benefit to having him be older as long as he's more established and mature.

Anonymous · Answer

Younger woman & older man yes. Even up to 20 years. The opposite being true the other way. When I say work I mean marriage and kids. Chances are an older woman has her kids, was married or is past having kids and maybe she's in good shape for her age but eventually the younger man moves on. An older man tends to have his ducks in a row by 30 or 40 making it easier to support a wife and kids.

HelpfulWoman · Answer

not really. depends on the age gap ( 5 years to me is max), otherwise there's always some sort of underlying vibe. Why does someone have to date below their own age and life experiences? there's a reason and its always gonna be a dodgy red flag

Anonymous · Answer

Of course. How old is he? Maybe mid 20s. You question makes it seem as though he’s in his 30s or 40s. Which even if it was that much of an age gap could work. It just seems odd to you most likely cause you’re tell a teen, he’s in his 20s. Once you turn 20 it won’t seem odd. What makes you think it wouldn’t work out?

Awesomesauce2005 · Answer

Im 20 and im dating a 17 year old, she has been working for 2 years while i have been working for 5 years. Our biggest differences are our ability to look and plan for the future. I can easily plan for the both of us while she wants to live day to day.

TheSpaceGnome · Answer

Yes they can work, anything 10 years or less for an age difference is negligable, anything bigger than that and the odds of failure increases if the older person is in poor health or the 2 cannot relate.

molonski2 · Answer

Of course.. The male should always be older for anything even remotely successful , otherwise he's looking for a mother , he must face responsibility.

Fireguy17 · Answer

sure, my wife is younger than I am.
I didn't know her age when I started dating her, and it would not have made a difference.
We are 9 years apart.
I would not date a 20 something that is way too young, and we would have nothing in common.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

Absolutely!! My parents were 10 years apart and stayed married `til death! Both died at 81! My present (and, hopefully, last) girlfriend is a good bit younger than me.

unknowngurll1212 · Answer

Ys, age gap relationships can work if there's mutual respect, understanding, nd communication. It’s about being on the same page! ...🤍

ChiTown33 · Answer

They can. But the REALITY is the wider the gap the greater the odds it will NOT succeed long term.

I wouldn't recommend looking for anything more than plus or minus 10 years. (Obviously in your case not minus 10 years🤣)

trumpetplayerforlife · Answer

I'm 24 and my husband is 31 we have been together almost 5 years with no issues if you want it to work it can

red-lipstick-girl · Answer

If the age difference is not more than 8 years, there is no problem, but if it is more, it creates a problem. It has always been a problem when I talked to men who were older than me.

Screenwriter · Answer

You're talking five years' difference? Completely according to what you two want to put up with.

ProbablyClueless · Answer

It's certainly possible, but it's not likely to. People in your situation tend to have a lot of instability and change happening in their lives.

NotLongKindaGirthy · Answer

I mean, sometimes they work out. How much older is your boyfriend? If it's five years or less it's probably no big deal.

WhitneySnow · Answer

It can, but you need to be prepared for the fact that work will be a major distraction for him

HighValue · Answer

Yes. Compatible morals and compatible long term life goals is what matters for long term relationship success.

MannMitAntworten · Answer

I know of several that have worked out for a great many of years. This includes some who were married till death. Plot twist, it wasn't the older who passed first either.

katiesmuff · Answer

Given the right situation almost anything can work.

exitseven · Answer

The age is not the big factor. The fact that you are both in different places in your respective lives might be a problem.

Anonymous · Answer

I don't think so. I started dating a 50 year old man just before my 18th birthday. Men of that age only really want one this with younger girls - their body.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

With enough maturity and especially communication, absolutely. :-)

Alycat26 · Answer

Yes, I can work. I dated a man eight years older than I was. He taught me a lot at the same time. We had a lot of similar qualities. We respected each other and gave each other space and communicated well with each other.

LiamS95 · Answer

The only true story I know that I an share is I had an Uncle and Aunt and she was 12 years older then him. The were very happily married for 50+ years until they both eventually passed.

slatyb · Answer

Of course it could. But I think you should date other people before you settle on one.

jazzy34 · Answer

Just make sure he’s actually interested in you and not using you.

beefcakebradybatson · Answer

Seventy-two-year-old (73 Apr. 16) Bill Belichick's girlfriend is 24, and Don (American Pie) McLean,77 or so, has a chick about a half-century his junior.

LiamJHayden · Answer

It can work. Ritchie Blackmore and his wife met when she was 18 and he was 44. They are still together 35 years later.

Anonymous · Answer

It can work if you are willing to settle for less than ideal marriage. Age related lifestyle incompatibility will hit you at some point

kerrieK001 · Answer

That age gap is nothing rlly lol. I'm 18 and my boyfriend is 45.

Ironic_Method · Answer

My wife is 8 years younger than I am and we are head over heels for each other even after a decade.

KittygosMeoWW · Answer

Yes and no… I love older men but the oldest guy I dated played me the most

worldscolide · Answer

My wife is 9 years younger than me, and we have been together for 12 years, what does that tell you?

Cristi019 · Answer

From what I've seen around me, it doesn't. But the world is big.

Anonymous · Answer

yes if you prioritize everything else over the age gap

Staximus · Answer

If the age difference is only a few years then it's not a big deal, you're already an adult

Ariesman81 · Answer

As long as goals align it shouldn't be an issue.

ulvusdk · Answer

Around 10 year age gap, just got 50 yesterday 3 April 2025

fish5505_87 · Answer

That's not a huge gap, and yes I have seen it work, and not work. Give it a try?

MatureMan40 · Answer

Of course! The most important thing is the personality.

Sarahinsurrey42 · Answer

Yes absolutely! all depends on compatibility, morals and each individual in my opinion

rachel776 · Answer

my fiancé is 15 years older

lilBigPotato · Answer

It can if you have similar interests

PrincessC16 · Answer

Yes, it's all about compatibility and conversation

Little_Bumblebee · Answer

That's up to you two, not strangers online.

Madgedays · Answer

Yes of course

glennos89 · Answer

You never know untill you try

Danny_dan92 · Answer

Big ones? Probably not

DrPepper12 · Answer

It can. What major?

Do you think age gap relationships can work?

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