There's an interesting study here: papers.ssrn.com/.../papers.cfm?abstract_id=2501480
It uses a rather small sample size (only around 3,000 married couples) so I'm not sure you can consider it very conclusive, but from their samples they found that divorce rates are higher as age gaps get wider and wider.
"[...] In the sample of all persons, greater differences in age and education between husband and wife and reporting that one’s partner’s looks were important in the decision to marry are both significantly associated with a higher hazard of divorce. On the other hand, relatively high household income, regularly attending religious services, having a child with one’s partner, relatively high wedding attendance, and going on a honeymoon are all significantly associated with a lower hazard of divorce. [...] "
In particular, it found that people who spend a lot of money on extravagant weddings and engagement rings are at a far greater risk of divorce, possibly due to the link between economic stress and dissolution of marriages.
Anyway, I don't really have any strong feelings about age gaps. According to that paper though, a smaller gap might be preferable for greater odds of a successful marriage.11 Reply- +1 y
Good thing I am a simple woman with simple needs lol I hate how people want such expensive things. He could give me a 50 cent ring from the skate park and I would still marry him. Love means more that pretty things. Thank you for your opinion!!
Most Helpful Opinions
+1 yI don't think it makes a difference as long as you get along and are happy. my thing is younger because it brings out a different personality in me and a different drive. I'm still responsible but i might take alittle more risk in business or with money
10 Reply
+1 yI think larger age differences become more appropriate and less problematic the older both partners are. For example, when one partner is 16 and the other is 18, those two years can make a HUGE difference in maturity level and outlook on life. When one partner is 40 and the other is 50, the ten year age gap may hardly make a difference.
When I was in my very early 20s, I dated a guy two years younger. I was inexperienced and young for my age, so I never felt that the age difference was a problem. But now, in my mid-late 20s, I'm dating a guy two years OLDER. And man oh man is it an improvement. I never would have thought that being with someone older instead of younger could make such a big difference. But of course, the difference was only two years both times. People say that women mature two years ahead of men, so that could be the reason for my experiences.10 Reply
I personally don'tcare but I'd prefer somebody 5-7 years later. The reason would be, that guys that age are a lot more mature than te younger ones, at least where I live. However they're still young enough and couldn't be my Dad.
15 Reply- +1 y
Lol yes, it would be super awkward dating a guy who graduated with your dad, just noooo lol
- +1 y
I feel you there. We'll maybe not so much lol I mean my day is like 53 now and I am 18... I couldn't date a guy that old even if you paid me. Just saying I think after 10 years older it's really pushing it. My ideal is 5 to 6 years older.
- +1 y
Dad not day lol
+1 yI said 1 year older or younger, but I could say up to 5 years older or younger. But it wasn't an option. Although if you're together and the age difference is larger and you two are happy together then great!
10 Reply
Anonymous(45 Plus)+1 ydon't care, didn't vote.. this is too analytical for me. I've had very successful and unsuccessful relationships from different ranges and some of the same ranges have mixed results too.
10 Reply
What Girls & Guys Said
Opinion
17Opinion
+1 y5-6 years good, anything over that and it starts to get iffy 😅 well not that it matters but you kinda want to age with them, not outlive one another and such
19 Reply- +1 y
😋😉
- +1 y
❤😙.
- +1 y
Nerd 😘
- +1 y
Dork😍😙
- +1 y
at least I dont slip into mouthwash! 😊😋
- +1 y
You're the one turning into puddles😂💕
- +1 y
I will fight you 😂😂
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Pls don't I don't want to lose
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I'm not that strong 😂
+1 yFor me, it's like 5 or 6 years if we are both adults. As a guy, I wanna date a girl as young as possible without being creepy. I think 5 or 6 years is a reasonable limit.
10 ReplyI honestly believe it doesn't really matter as long as they're 18 and over and can choose for themselves, society shouldent put a cap on who can be together based on age if they like each other
10 Reply
+1 yage doesn't really make a difference to me if they're older or younger if there's chemistry and we get along, but say for example right now in my life i'm 27, i find my ideal girl being around 22-25 its usually who i click with the best.
10 ReplyA guy needs to be his girls leader and protector, but still be able to have fun with her. I'd say ten years is ideal. Too many girls get stuck messing w guys their age and they don't know how to treat girls or be a man.
10 ReplyAs of now +/- 2 years.
Still prefer my own age though.10 Reply- 3.5K opinions shared on Relationships topic.
+1 yDidn't read the full question but wanted to vote for 2 - 4 years older. They're older but not older st the same time.
10 Reply
+1 yI prefer a woman either a couple years older than me at most and 18 at the youngest. I dont have an ideal age difference.
10 Reply- 959 opinions shared on Relationships topic.
+1 yFor me 1 year +/- is ideal.
2-3 +/- would be my limit.20 Reply I don't mind older or younger. if we click, and really are attracted to each other then that's all I care about
20 ReplyI think within 10 years apart is a good age difference.
10 Replyideal age difference for me would have to be 2-3 years either older or younger
10 ReplyI would go either way 10 years... for a relationship.. But for short term I would consider more younger.. maybe even up to 20years... but no more!
10 Reply17 as the youngest, 26 as the oldest :)
age does not mean maturity :)10 Replydo you mean ideal age difference for dating?
15 Reply- +1 y
Yeah lol
- +1 y
Well I like it when a girl is two to four years older than me because they usually have a better understanding of what they want and don't waste time. No just causally dating I would want someone my age or younger just so dating is far less about us and the future and more about us now.
- +1 y
I personally like older men tbh. I just love learning about others lol
Anonymous(36-45)+1 yAge doesn't matter as long as you're both happy that's all that matters in the world.
It's your private life and has sod all to do with anyone else.10 Reply
+1 yIm 20 and my girlfriend isn't born yet, so 20yrs diff
00 Reply1.4K opinions shared on Relationships topic. Love knows no age difference.
20 Reply
Anonymous(30-35)+1 yBetween 1 month older - 4 years older.
20 Replyto me 8-13 years
10 Reply
+1 y5- 10 years
10 Reply- 5K opinions shared on Relationships topic.
+1 y10-15 % difference
17 Reply- +1 y
What?
- +1 y
Between 10% and 15% of age as age difference seems OK in my opinion
Much clearer than an absolute number of years: it can be applied to all ages. - +1 y
I guess this logic makes more sense than actual differences. Most would freak out if an 18 year old dates a 28 year old, but it seems to be less bothersome if a 28 year old dates a 38 year old even if the age difference is the same.
- +1 y
@TacosRAwesome If you take just a 10 year difference, an 18 yr old could date an 8 yr old... :-p
- +1 y
Yeah but we want to keep things legal and non pedo zoned :)
- +1 y
@jacquesvol That isn't what I meant. Maybe I should have put "once you are above the age of consent how many years would you allow to be diffrent between you and someone you dated or married?"
- +1 y
@HastaLaPasta
At my age , I'd still keep it at the 20% to 15% difference.
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