When it comes to relationships, more times than not, things can be broken down into two categories: things that really matter and things that don’t. I think we could agree that things that should actually matter would be things like if they treat you with respect and if you could see a future. On the same account, maybe things that don’t really matter would be the fact that they chew with their mouth open and like to watching football on Sundays. Usually it’s possible to draw the line, but of course that isn’t always the case. Sometimes there are those things where you just aren’t sure which side of the argument you come down on, things like when it comes to age and relationships, does it matter?
Obviously there are pros and cons to either side. In theory with age usually comes maturity and wisdom, but that’s of course not always the case. Technically the more years you add to your life, the more life experiences you are able to have which in turn are ultimately supposed to shape you as a person. But then at the same time we meet those people who are older than us, and we swear they are still in their teens, or we meet younger people who are wise way beyond their years. So I guess the better question isn’t does age matter, but should it?
If you look at some celebrity couples, the answer is no. From Eva Longoria (36) and Eduardo Cruz (25) to Jennifer Lopez (42) and Casper Smart (24), these gorgeous and successful women found love and comfort in the arms of men that are a good amount of years younger than them. So what’s the problem? Casper Smart doesn’t think it should be one. He recently tweeted, “Age, status, n opinions of others are irrelevant. Our hearts are endless and our souls infinite.” OK, he doesn’t directly mention Lopez, but we can put two and two together, right?
But even with declarations like Smart’s, society just keeps on questioning it. So much so, that dating older or younger has almost gotten a stigma attached to it. Somehow if you’re dating an older guy, that makes you a “gold digger,” and if he’s younger, “Cougar” gets tossed in the mix, but why?
At the end of the day if you’re in a stable relationship with someone who treats you right and makes you happy, does the fact that there is 10 years between you really have weight? When it comes to the heart, and not to sound too cliche, isn’t age really just a number?
So let’s hear it. Do you think age matters? Have you ever dated someone significantly older or younger? If you haven’t, would you?
guest
10 years, 40 years, psh. Even 100 years. Who cares!
guest
My second BF was a year younger than me. No one honestly cares. That’s what I believe.
guest
The most mature guy I’ve dated is 24-25. Keep in mind I’ve dated someone 40years my senior, someone my age, and someone younger than myself as well. Age is definitely just a number. As long as both parties are 20+ I don’t see a problem.
guest
I personally wouldn’t date anyone more than 5 years older than me (my boyfriend’s 4 years older than me) but whatever floats your boat.
guest
As long as you can fulfill your partners wants and needs, it’s all good. A celebrity example… Ashton wanting a baby and Demi so old she couldn’t have one anymore, obviously a problem. So as long as you can provide and fulfill your partners needs, who cares the age.
guest
The last older guys I dated, one was abusive and one ended up being a deadbeat pot head. I prefer younger. My husband is 21 and I just turned 24. He’s the youngest and the most mature guy I’ve been with and he was boyfriend number 10. I am really not even attracted to men my age or older anymore. Especially where I live.
guest
I think that’s just women who get stigmatised, generally for guys it doesn’t seem so much a problem. For me my comfort zone is probably -/+4 years my own age.
guest
Like most things in life, it depends on the people involved. As long as it’s legal and they’re okay with it, it really doesn’t matter. Besides, when I see an older woman with a hot younger man, I can’t help but think to myself, “You go girl!”
rose / 980 posts
Age doesn’t matter. Nobody controls when they were born. I’ve dated people 10 years older but only 2 years younger. Personality matters most. I wish people would stop negatively labeling women. Yeah, some women are “cougars” and prey on younger men for sex. But some women just want to be loved and suffer so much frustration that in the end, age doesn’t matter.
Ten years into a marriage/relationship, nothing matters but how you care for and about each other. People should put no other stock in big age differences.
guest
age is just a number. but what comes with age.. that’s what matters. and i think that’s what most people mean when they say “age matters”. that isn’t to say it won’t or can’t work, but it matters. anyone ignoring that is quite foolish and perhaps even naive.
guest
I absolutely hate the looks people give me when I tell them how old I am after my fiance introduces me to them. “I’m 20.” 0_o “Wow, really robbing the cradle, aren’t you, J?” His response is usually “no, she’s legal and I don’t see 20 when I look at her. I’m not with a child.”
He’s 32. We’ve known each other for 6 years…it’s not like I am underage and a liability. People can suck it…seriously. I’ll be with who I want to be with *shrug*
I did however earn a high-five for J one time, haha I was 19 at the time and he turned from me and asked J how old he was and he told him and the guy was all “Right on, man!” haha
guest
WHO CARES! my boyfriend is two years older then me and we love each other greatly! age doesn’t matter. What matters is that you love the person with everything you have. That you would do anything for the person, always be there for the person, even die for that person. Age is nothing but a number.
guest
I firmly believe that age is just a number. Age is only a problem when the legality of the relationship is a problem.
guest
Large age differences matter for the same reason that any other big differences in couples matter. The more differences you have the harder it is to make a relationship work long term. Cultural, religious, political, career, status, age and any other thing couples may differ greatly on all create challenges which shouldn’t be brushed aside or negated if you want your relationship to work. Yes age matters but it doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
guest
I’m in a relationship with a man 12 years older than me, I’m 19 and he’s 31. We have an intensely satisfying relationship regardless of the age gap because we meet right in the middle of the age difference. Our life experiences add up and we’re very open minded to each other, have the same morals and life goals, have enough in common to share things together and enough differences to have our own lives outside of each other. I think we mesh really well together, I’m in it for the long-haul
guest
@LaceNation@xanga - Hey we’ve got the same age gap thing going on. I’ve gone through the same thing when my guy and I started dating, but once they get to know me they changed their opinions quick. It makes me smile when he gets the occasional “right on, man!” though ;P
peony / 1 posts
age is just a number even if your underage as long as the person thats older than you isnt just looking for sex or is some sort of pedo this whole legal thing pi$$es me off seriously who actually cares how old u r