How Much Do Age Differences Really Matter?

Mzalendo_Mkweli · 2013-05-20T15:36:17+00:00

The unofficial formula is the "half your age plus seven" rule. So if you're 30, the rule goes, the youngest person you should date is 22 (since 30/2 = 15, and 15+7 = 22). When you're 44, the cutoff would be 29. At 58, it would be 36, and so on. And while this is a silly formula, it reveals an interesting truth: the older you get, the less age differences matter. An 18-year-old and a 32-year-old are 14 years apart, but these 14 years encompass a huge gap in experiences. Take those same 14 years, 30 years later, and you've got a 48-year-old and a 62-year-old. Sure, there are still some differences, but the gap has definitely shrunk. Age gaps tend to be more accepted in the queer community than they are in general. Maybe this is because we're already doing something that differs from the norm, so an age difference on top of it is just icing on the deviance cake. Or maybe it has to do with the gendered tendency in age differences among heterosexual couples. Demi and Ashton notwithstanding, the "older man, younger woman" scenario is much more common than the reverse. This pattern tends to reinforce gender inequalities and stereotypes in a way that queer relationships can't. Or maybe it has something to do with child-rearing. On average, fewer queers (especially gay men) have kids, so maybe people care less about age gaps when no little kidlets are involved. As far as I'm concerned, barring illegality, there's no such thing as an age difference being "too big" unless it presents problems for the couple. The bigger the differences, the more potential problems. But the key word is potential. Particular problems may or may not materialize for any given couple. Here are a few of the most common ones: Differences in energy levels. If one partner wants to climb mountains and the other can barely climb stairs, this may be an Issue. Of course, age doesn't necessarily dictate energy levels. My mom told me recently about her 70-something friend who was complaining one day about being sore. My mom thought, "Oh, that poor thing... the aches and pains of getting old." But then the woman continued, "I really need to avoid doing my five-mile hikes on consecutive days"(!). Health problems. The older you get, the more likely you are to have health problems. This is a generality, but on average, it's true. If you end up with someone much older than you are, chances are that your partner will face a serious health concern before you do. This worry may or may not be a deal breaker. My DGF asked me once, "Are you going to want to change my diapers in 30 years?" My answer: "If we've been together for 30 years, of course I'll change your diapers." Cultural differences. Maybe you grew up on "Barney," but she remembers "Captain Kangaroo." Maybe you slow-danced to Color Me Badd in sixth grade, while she danced to it at her first marriage. These kinds of cultural differences can be funny, bizarre, or depressing--it all depends how you interpret them. Personally, I love that my DGF and I were raised in different decades. It gives us even more to learn from each other. Sounds trite, but it's true. Life Stages. Like differences in health, life stages are correlated with age. (But "are correlated" doesn't mean "correspond perfectly.") If one of you is hitting your stride in your career and the other is just starting grad school, it may take a little extra effort to appreciate where your sweetheart's at. Bottom line: Age is not "all in your head"--but what you make of it is. It's a factor that may or may not have important implications. Like differences of religion, social class, or cultural background, it's worth taking seriously to help you understand and strengthen your relationship

Thread starter Mzalendo_Mkweli
Start date May 20, 2013

Mzalendo_Mkweli

JF-Expert Member

May 20, 2013

Mzalendo_Mkweli

JF-Expert Member

May 20, 2013

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