Age gaps in relationships

[foodfor4]

Ok, Marty, gotcha!

[Big-N-Bald]

I'm 10 1/2 years older than my Wife.  Not a problem here.  I get called a cradle robber once in a while but, it's all in good fun.

[Morthen]

oh yeah and dont play world of warcraft while your girlfriend is trying to talk to you....... even if you're responding she'll be pissed apparently

women are complex creatures

[D-Man]

My ex-wife was 7 years younger than me and my current gal is also 7 years younger.It's never been a problem from either side.

[Alexander215]

My grandparents were 18 years apart and couldn't have had a better marriage ...   If it feels right, go for it.

Bingo 

[mangosink12572]

Who the hell cares. as long as you are happy  - - -We are only 6 months apart  and we both remember "I LOVE LUCY"

[Morthen]

Its amazing how long these threads keep going. Me and her already broke up and I have my eyes on another girl already. I appreciate all your guys input though, yall are a great bunch Im glad to be a part of this community.

[pdxtodd]

My soon to be ex-wife is 17 years younger and acts 25 years younger.   It all depends on the person.   For my situation - 17 years was truly a generational gap and it didn't work out.   

[CraftyGuy]

Lesee... my wife is 6 years older than me.  Her dad was 12 years older than her mom, and my step-dad is 6 years younger than my mom...

Must run in the family!  :-)

[fcb2001]

Iam actually thinking of waiting until iam in my mid 40's to marry, i turn 34 next month, but i will marry a girl that is 16-18 years younger than me i want to have kids, iam a single man ive never been married before, but i dont want to  marry until i have everything on my to do list crossed off, and it will take another 10 years before everything on my to do list is crossed off,

[Nonick]

As with many issues in life, there is no single cookie cutter answer.  Age differences are not a problem if you don't want them to be.  One aspect is maturity.  I had a brother who married 3 times.  The first 2 were about his age.  The third one was about 18, when he was 30.  From what I could see, their matruity levels were about the same and their likes and dislikes were similiar.    That was almost 30 years ago, and as far as I know they "lived happily ever after". 
I know another couple who are about 20 years different in age.  They've been happily married for a number of years with no issues regarding the age difference.  For them it works.

[DuffRyder17]

"That's what I love about these High School girls man... I get older, they stay the same age."
-Dazed and Confused

[D.A.L.U.I.]

This thread called to mind the letter of Benjamin Franklin to a young friend on taking an older woman as mistress--the language is pure 18th century, the advice, wit and wisdom are ageless.  It's well worth the time to read. 

Benjamin Franklin, Advice to a Young Man on the Choice of a Mistress (1745).

 

June 25, 1745

My dear Friend,

I know of no Medicine fit to diminish the violent natural Inclinations you mention; and if I did, I think I should not communicate it to you. Marriage is the proper Remedy. It is the most natural State of Man, and therefore the State in which you are most likely to find solid Happiness. Your Reasons against entering into it at present, appear to me not well-founded. The circumstantial Advantages you have in View by postponing it, are not only uncertain, but they are small in comparison with that of the Thing itself, the being married and settled. It is the Man and Woman united that make the compleat human Being. Separate, she wants his Force of Body and Strength of Reason; he, her Softness, Sensibility and acute Discernment. Together they are more likely to succeed in the World. A single Man has not nearly the Value he would have in that State of Union. He is an incomplete Animal. He resembles the odd Half of a Pair of Scissars. If you get a prudent healthy Wife, your Industry in your Profession, with her good Economy, will be a Fortune sufficient.

But if you will not take this Counsel, and persist in thinking a Commerce with the Sex inevitable, then I repeat my former Advice, that in all your Amours you should prefer old Women to young ones. You call this a Paradox, and demand my Reasons. They are these:

i. Because as they have more Knowledge of the World and their Minds are better stor'd with Observations, their Conversation is more improving and more lastingly agreable.

2. Because when Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good. To maintain their Influence over Men, they supply the Diminution of Beauty by an Augmentation of Utility. They learn to do a 1000 Services small and great, and are the most tender and useful of all Friends when you are sick. Thus they continue amiable. And hence there is hardly such a thing to be found as an old Woman who is not a good Woman.

3. Because there is no hazard of Children, which irregularly produc'd may be attended with much Inconvenience.

4. Because thro' more Experience, they are more prudent and discreet in conducting an Intrigue to prevent Suspicion. The Commerce with them is therefore safer with regard to your Reputation. And with regard to theirs, if the Affair should happen to be known, considerate People might be rather inclin'd to excuse an old Woman who would kindly take care of a young Man, form his Manners by her good Counsels, and prevent his ruining his Health and Fortune among mercenary Prostitutes.

5. Because in every Animal that walks upright, the Deficiency of the Fluids that fill the Muscles appears first in the highest Part: The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding2 only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.

6. Because the Sin is less. The debauching a Virgin may be her Ruin, and make her for Life unhappy.

7. Because the Compunction is less. The having made a young Girl miserable may give you frequent bitter Reflections; none of which can attend the making an old Woman happy.

8thly and Lastly They are so grateful!!

Thus much for my Paradox. But still I advise you to marry directly; being sincerely Your affectionate Friend.

[andrew]

Great letter from Ben ...   Thanks for sharing Paul.

[backseatview]

talk about reviving dead threads.. im rather bored right now so im hopping in random threads adding my opinion.

ive always dated someone older. i dated someone 20 years older than me for 2 years(i was 26 at the time) and to my surprise it worked out pretty well. it ended cause they got tired of it being long distance. i tried dating people within 5 years of my age and i normally ended it because of no common grounds. i get along better with grown ups. ha! but im pretty relationship retarded so i dont date anymore