What would be the maximum acceptable age gap between lovers nowadays?

[HarveyLaw]

[Salaciousrouge]

"Acceptable" is only ever relevent to the onlookers and rarely to the actual couple.

When dating, we all have our own personal preferences regarding appeal and looks and body types which grab our attention. These metrics mostly go unchallanged by our peers and society, as they should. Our choices a regarding physical attraction most get a pass andnpll will roll with it even if its not "their type". Yet, in western societies age (typically more than 5 years) is right up there with criminal history, facial tattoos, and morbid obesity causing a pearl clutching reaction.

When looking for a mate, there are typical aspirational limits most will impose on themselves: Limits set by distance, limits set by gender (vast majority), limits set by culture, limits set by religion, and limits set by age. Some might add social status/value (usually women), and race. This makes for a very very narrow pool of candidates. Its comical, really. Good luck with that!

Then there's the hypocricy wherein omyf is a pervert and ofym is a 'you go girl'! I opine that from women it's unacceptable due to jealousy. From the men its envy.

[Zack-Bann]

Glad the guys are all saying the right thing here.
Who exactly was given the authority to accept or refuse relationships?
The law is very clear on this: once both parties over 18 the relationship is legal therefore acceptable.


Every other day someone on this site asks this same tired old question and some people will start making up arbitrary guidelines to age gaps that they pulled straight out of their ass


So here it is:
Protect the children. And stay out of adult’s business

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the person, but most people today consider the "acceptable" age difference to be around 10-15 years, especially if both partners are over 25. Anything more than that is not normal, but if the relationship is healthy and both are consenting adults, who cares? Love doesn't follow a strict rules. However, people will always have opinions, so it's really about what works for you, not what others think.

[Changiis07]

I would say 5 year gap is okay but I know nowadays is different there's bigger age gaps than ever before

[Chazmatazz269]

As long as both are the age of majority and of sound mind and body, there is no reason to discriminate by age.

[AviatorTom]

150 years. Whatever works for the couple. Love has no limitations.

[DishLady]

Hmm… How old would Noah be now? He was hot… knew what to do when his gal got wet….

[Purpleronnie]

Acceptable? … To whom?


Assuming an age of maturity , it only matters to those that are together. Nobody else really has a say and it really doesn’t matter what they think.


Sure , social groups , friend groups , families , cultures and societies will likely never align but if two people , of at least the age of consent, want to bump uglies , commit to a ‘relationship’ then it’s nobodies business but theirs.

[14gurlz2gagonit]

I don't know what G@G is on about right now, but this age gap stuff seems to be top of mind for people right now.

I'm not going to judge others. Not my business. That... and feminists hate me because I like them young. Legally young that is... they like to pop off calling people pedos and shit even though it's nothing but adults. Let people enjoy their fetishes.

[Maybe_Maybe_not]

Like the comments said, more than 10 years difference, for people between 20 and 50yo, looks way less socially accepted, from what I perceive, in general.

Which is reasonable to me, I wouldn't like to see a world where no one cares about big age gaps anymore.

[AndrésC64]

It depends on the individuals and the age of the individuals. A 10-year age gap between an 18-year-old and a 28-year-old it's a very big gap. A 10-year gap between a 40 and a 50-year-old is not such a big gap and a gap between a 70 and an 80-year-old is really no gap at all. And none of that even takes into account the experience and maturity levels of the individuals. There are too many variables involved answer this question.

[Josey29]

Im into it 😉

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Acceptable to whom? If two people who are above the age of consent want to date, or f**k, why is it anyone else's business?

No one's asking what racial differences are acceptable, or what gender differences are acceptable. No one's asking about the maximum acceptable income difference between lovers. Why are so many people so eager to be the "age police"?

[Abbycado]

As long as they are consenting adults, whatever is fine. That’s their business. I date close to my own age by choice.

[Nonamez]

Nowadays there is no barriers for age gap , like I care who is married who if one is too young and another one too old , not our business, if they are happy, bless them ( most of times is the reason for such marriages , less likely love )

[NoDecision]

Whatever both of you feel comfortable with. That is it in a nutshell, no what, ifs, or buts.

[MannMitAntworten]

Agree.

[Anonymous]

I would say 10 years max.

Anything over 10 years will lead to problems later on down the road.

If its anything around 15 years, the marriage will die at some point. You just need to wait for it.

Nothing can beat age related incompatibility.

Saying age is just a number is like saying prison is just another room.

[TheSpaceGnome]

10 or less is ideal but your reasoning is off.
I don't relate to any woman my age, the only mentally conpatible women in the US have been in their 20s or younger.

For some reason millenial women being geeks/nerds/gamers/scientists/artists is so rare, that all are long since snatched up already.

I can either date half my age or be single at this point.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

you will almost never be more compatible with a woman 20 years younger.

There is a reason why vast majority of married couples are similar in age. People who are similar in age tend to have more in common.

Large age gap relationships do not tend to work most of the time. They always end up breaking up at some point due to differences.

Men say they are more mentally compatible with women 20 years younger are lying and are only thinking with their dicks.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

If large age gap relationships worked then we wouldn't see most people marrying those similar in age.

[TheSpaceGnome]

My criteria are as follows:
1. She has to be a virgin and have no STDs (I'm also a clean virgin)
2. She has to be unusually clever, like inventor clever (like me).
3. She has to be silly, bubbly, goofy bundle of energy. Very loving, very affectionate, clingy, and full of joy (like me). The type to have an "infectious" laugh/smile and not be jaded, moody, or bitter.
4. She has to have a cute face, very thick scalp hair, a petite body, huge boobs, and looks very young/healthy for her age (women my age who don't look young ignore me because they all think I look 15).
5. She has to not want any kids, but has or wants lots of exotic pets, (just like me)
6. She has to be an artist/illustrator, like me (being an animator, programmer, writer, and musician, like me as well, is a plus, but not required).
7. She has to like science, sci-fi, fantasy, CGI, practical special effects, robotics, and anime/cartoons, (like me).
8. She has to be a collector or at least admirer of geeky/nerdy things, such as action figures, model kits, retro games, etc (just like me)
9. She has to be good at difficult video games and not be a sore loser nor a gloating winner, the type to revel in a challenge and enjoy fun over easy progress (again, like me).
10. She has to be altruistic, but not martyr (yet again, like me)
11. She has to be lewd minded, but not promiscious, the type to watch porn/hentai and make dirty jokes, but not the type to cheat, sleep around, or get in bed quickly (also like me).
12. She has to like bugs, spiders, snakes, dinosaurs, cats, etc. (like me)
13. She has to be a logic driven atheist (like me)
14. She has to have never drank any alcohol, never smoked, and never did any other recreational drugs. (also like me)

Name a woman in the US in her late 30s or early 40s that fits all of that.
Most of that stuff didn't catch on with most millenial women, and the few that it did with, are married already.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

And what makes you think most women in their 20s would be interested in an old aging man in his 40s?

You're about to be at the end of your prime. Soon in 10 years, most women in their 30s won't even be interested in you

Its quite hilarious how men dont think their game will lower as they get older.

[TheSpaceGnome]

The only women who ask me out are teens and early to mid 20s women because I look the same now as I did at 14. (I'm also not in my 40s just yet).

Women my age, as I stated before, ignore me because they think I'm jailbait, they treat me like a child when interacting with me if they don't know me (ie they are sweet and mothering and talk in a high pitched voice like most parents do with their kids).

Its actually become a problem, since the majority of the ones hitting on me are teens, I end up rejecting nearly everyone who hits on me.

This isn't just women or dating either, just walking down the street I have teen guys asking me what highschool I go to, and when I reply that I'm in my late 30s they look at me like I have 3 heads.

When I play games online and join party chats to meet new people, everyone assumes I'm a teenager based on how my voice sounds.

My prime isn't going to end for a loooooong time.
I dont age anymore, and when I did I reversed it back to what it was at 14.
Aging is just diseases.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Also relationships aren't a game.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

You're still 38, you haven't hit your wall yet.

But trust me, your time where you stop attracting girls in their 20s will come

It has nothing to do with looks. You can't grow old with someone who is already old. You won't be able to keep up with a 20 yr old if you are 50 anyways. Not physically, not sexually.

There is a reason why large age gap relationships are so uncommon

[TheSpaceGnome]

There is no wall, I'm going too look and feel the same at 50 as I do now.
Humans have indeterminate lifespans and aging is health related, not time related, the current record is 138 years, but i'm gonna break it by a wide margin.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Also, ignoring all of that, even if I started aging right now at the average rate people age, I'd be placed in the current teenager's bracket for average year of death because of my current starting point.

So the bigger risk is actually a her not being able to keep up with me if she doesn't age as well as I do.

[bddddd]

@TheSpaceGnome Friend, love is not a list of boxes to check. I honestly do not think you will ever find a woman that ticks all fourteen of your boxes. Yes, you need to have shared values. Having different hobbies is healthy... she needs her own identity two.

A couple of specific comments
- I have never understood people obsessed with virginity. Given the choice, I would prefer a woman that has had some sexual experience before and knows both what she is doing and what she likes. Promiscuity would be an issue for me, not because of her sex history but that it is a marker that one should at least consider her willingness to commit.
- STDs can be assessed through medical screening that is fairly cheap and fast. Most STDs are curable. HIV is more difficult and would give me pause for thought... there are drugs you can take immediately before or immediately after sex to substantially reduce the risk of transmission, but your love life will be very expensive as a result.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

You're just desperately in denial

There is no such thing as someone who never ages

[TheSpaceGnome]

@bddddd
"love is not a list of boxes to check."
It actually is.

"I honestly do not think you will ever find a woman that ticks all fourteen of your boxes."
I've found a tons of them but the only non taken ones who are adults are in japan so I'm no longer looking in the US.

"Yes, you need to have shared values. Having different hobbies is healthy... she needs her own identity two."
No, couples need to be "twin flames"/"mental clones" or they won't get along well enough to stay together without giving up on aspirational career and lifestyle dreams.

[TheSpaceGnome]

@Opinion Owner, no, you're the one in denial.
I don't age.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

Realize all old men claim he is going to attract young girls forever

Just the same old women say they can get hot young guys forever

[bddddd]

@TheSpaceGnome You need to have shared values. But beyond that, the purpose of love is to learn more about yourself and the world. What can you possibly learn from marrying someone exactly the same as yourself? With respect, your view of love is very immature.

[Opinion Owner]

@bddddd

some people don't marry for connection or shared values, thats what you don't understand.

[Opinion Owner]

@bddddd

Nowadays, most people focus on who they 're most sexually attracted to or someone who can make them laugh. Other than that, nothing else is important

[TheSpaceGnome]

@Opinion owner that sounds like a garbage relationship.

[TheSpaceGnome]

@bddddd shared values, shared interests and hobbies, shared career goals and lifestyle, shared sense of humor, shared talents and skills, shared morals, similar intellects, as well as both being attracted to eachother.

Love is the admiration and appreciation of that which brings you joy.
Someone different in mindset or lifestyle doesn't bring me joy.

A good marriage doesn't change your lifestyle, it gives you quality company while you have the same lifestyle you had before they walked into it.

I learn about the world through science and entertainment. With no respect, your view of love is nonsense.

[Opinion Owner]

@TheSpaceGnome

you don't have to worry about that. because im 99% sure you won't ever get married

[TheSpaceGnome]

You can't be 99% sure of anything, you are either sure, or you aren't.
I'm far too goal oriented, clever, and talented to never end up married.

[Nikki1989]

If are both are adults, any age gap is fine.

[BonzoInBitburg]

My wife is 20 years younger. Seems accepted for the most part

[molonski2]

For me it's around 25 years , sometimes a little more , I'm always older of course.

[Anonymous]

10-30 years is fine. Any age gap is okay as long as both parties are consenting ADULTS.

My limit is 63 😉

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

You would date a 63 year old? And you're 35? Would that be fun for you?

[MannMitAntworten]

Acceptable to who? Why is it other’s business to qualify what is acceptable between two consenting adults regardless of age, sexual orientation, or ethnicity? It is their relationship and belongs to no one else.

[ErasmusBAiken]

One social guideline that has stood up to repeated scrutiny is the "half your age plus 7 years".

So a 30 year old should look for a partner at least 22 years of age. A 50 year old should seek a partner at least 32 years old.

It's just a practical guideline, not a law.

[Fireguy17]

Its different for everyone and age.
10 years younger is fine unless you are 18 to 30 something.
As you get older age seems to not matter as much.

[lyrem04]

Max 10 years anything bigger than that to me is a bit creepy it would give closeted pedo…

[beenherebefore]

For me personally tens years older than me.

[Joshydavid25]

As long as they're adults, it's acceptable.. Whatever happens is between them..

[Anonymous]

If both are at least 18 years old, any gap is acceptable if they both agree.

[Sophia001]

It depends on the person. Personally I don't care about age

[an_nMary]

Age isn't a factor for me when it comes to relationships – what matters most is the connection we share.

[nawtee_me]

30 year difference here…. But I have dated a larger gap. Age means nothing to me as long as they are consenting adults.

[Anonymous]

The person I fell in love with had a 30-year age difference from me. I don't think it matters how old a man is unless they are younger.

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Why is it bad if the guy is younger?

[Opinion Owner]

Because I feel like his mother or older sister next to a younger man. That's why I prefer older men. I have no age limit. An older man can treat me like both a husband and a father. He can dominate me as he wishes.

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Sounds like you have kind of a kink no offense.

How old are you?

[Opinion Owner]

Why do you think I have kind of a kink?

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Just the way you talked about it. Like having a husband/father in the bedroom, and getting dominated.

I'm not judging you. I do think it's interesting that you would have sex with a guy who's thirty years older, but not a guy who's five years younger.

[Opinion Owner]

I definitely don't mean that he should act like a father in the bedroom; he has to be a dominant husband there. Sometimes he has to act like a father because I am a very emotional woman.
That's why I like men who are much older than me. What can a younger man give me? Dealing with younger men is very annoying.

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Hahaha how old are you?

Are you in the USA? Just curious.

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Have you had bad experiences with younger guys?

[NotLongKindaGirthy]

Have you always been attracted to older? Like even when you were in high school?

[Hellraiser1984]

Money knows no age limit. 20 year old women will date 90 year old men for money. Parasites

[SmokinAces2000]

Any age gap that’s legal is “acceptable” I suppose but some are weirder than others.

[Lilly1979]

I been seeing someone 20 years younger it’s a friend with benefits.

[Godihateyou]

One year older than 14 and 2 more years for every year after that. Extrapolated

[Anonymous]

I don't think anyone should seek anyone with a bigger or lesser age gap than 10 years.

[truecrimelover1999]

Think it depends on the circumstances really. I’m 25 and my preferred age range is 20-28.

[jamesgoldman]

Once they're adults, double

[Stella1]

I’m dating someone ten years older.

[LiverOfLife]

Whatever the man chooses it to be.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Too many variables involved.

[MinaV]

Old men turn me on so hard

[Bobabuba]

I can go 10 years up or down.

[shortster]

If they are both adults, any.

[chocolatetwopointo]

5 years, older than that is js weird

[Dongie]

25 years 3 months

[Skyros]

65 for men and 20 for women