The very first time I dated somebody that was substantially over the age of me I was in my early twenties plus they were in their early thirties. Although I'd later come to understand that there have been glaring differences (partly due the decade between us), at the time I recall thinking that it didn't feel like that big a deal. We were into each other, so what was the big deal? However, my ex saw things differently. He couldn't get over the age difference and was always back peddling on the relationship; breaking up with me only to ask for me back later.
Now that i am exactly the same age that my ex was after i dated him, I can see his point. I am not sure I'd feel 100% dating somebody that was 10 years younger than me. With that said, going older (i.e. dating someone in their forties when I'm in my thirties) doesn't seem that weird whatsoever. In fact, since I desire a partner who is mature and settled in their life, it really makes perfect sense.
Sometimes age gaps matter and sometimes they don't. Apparently, I'm the only person who feels by doing this. Dating app Jaumo asked 365,000 of its users in 25 countries around the globe and found that similar age isn't that important.
While for many a far more significant age difference is a huge no-no, over 63% of these surveyed said that age differences did not matter for them at all. In the UK, the typical is even higher – nearly 70% in men and 67% of the women Jaumo asked had no difficulties with age gaps. Worldwide, Dutch males are the ones who worry the least about age differences, with 75 % saying they don't mind, followed by Belgian women and men with 74% and Austrian men and women with 73%. US men (65%) and ladies (60%) are broadly pleased with age gaps.
Women in Brazil, however, observe that very differently: 63% want their partner to be of the similar age. In Italy, a partner's age matters more to women than men. Only one in three women is open to a relationship by having an age gap, while two in three men say that is fine with them.
Thinking of dating someone who is older or much younger than you? Here are some key items to keep in mind.
Dating someone younger means less baggage.
While dating someone who is younger than you means that the other person likely has less relationship experience, additionally, it implies that they probably have less baggage. If you've mostly dated individuals who were exactly the same age and older (like I've), dating someone who is five to ten years younger can feel utterly refreshing. A younger man or woman is less jaded and therefore, is okay embracing their romantic side.
Not all baggage isn't good baggage.
Yes, dating someone older means that your lover probably has some baggage remaining from a previous serious relationship. They might have children or still co-own property with their ex. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. I'd rather date someone who has been in a serious relationship that did not exercise and learned a bunch in the experience, than someone who has never learned those lessons. After the day we've all got baggage of some type, the main thing is what you do by using it.
You're likely to have different cultural references.
Your younger date may have no clue that the show Degrassi existed in a pre-Drake universe. Your older beau may be completely flummoxed by the concept of SnapChat. You are going to have different points of cultural references, whether this will make or breaks your relationship totally depends upon the individuals.
If you want to have great results, you can.
Some of my close friends who've the very best relationships are with age gap partners. So, never say never! As the age gap definitely didn't help my relationship with my ex, the real reason we failed out was that we just weren't right for one another Whatsoever. At the end of your day, it all depends on the willingness of the two people involved to create a relationship work.