Age difference in relationships

When I was 18 I dated a man that was 36. 18 yr age gap. Dated for 5 years.

Biggest age difference for me was 5 years. Personally, I like to date guys who are very close in age to me. Case in point: my boyf is only 2 months older than I am and that's just perfect.

Personally, I don't do huge age gaps. The largest was a guy 2 years older than me. We had relationship issues because I was young, clingy, and way too immature. My husband is 6 months younger than me, and honestly, I prefer the closer gap.

I have family members who are with people much older than they are. And friends as well. Those relationships also seem to fight, alot. And sometimes the maturity level is just not there. Sometimes, it's even the older person who is the more immature member of the relationship. At least with someone my own age, I know there will be a slight delay. But he's much closer to my level now than he was 8 years ago when we got together.

But so long as the couple is in a happy, working relationship, age really isn't an issue. It's just not something that I am personally fond of.

Experiencing this from the other side, my father was 15 years older than my mum, so when I was born, he was 46, and was much more of a grandfather figure in my life. My Mum later married someone 9 years younger than her, and he had, in fact, been the father figure when I was growing up (it was sort of complex, as for my older brothers who were much closer to his age, there was a lot of rivalry).
I have seen a number of my wider family female relatives in relationships with men of maybe 25 years older than they are - it almost seems to be a pattern - and while they have initially gained a much-needed stability, as years go by they end up by having to cope with someone who needs a lot of care, and suffering a great deal of strain and worry, which can turn the relationship sour. But even if you marry someone your age, illness or accident can strike the other down, so this can happen whatever the age gap - but is much more likely to happen when you are 60 and s/he is 85.
Personally I am so happy with my DH, who is just 2 years older than me - we share so much together in terms of background, both growing up during wartime and rationing. We are growing old together, so keep pace with one another, and thankfully are both physically and mentally fit!

current age dif is 11 yrs.
youngest was 1 yr younger. REGRET that bs.
Usual age diff b4 this long term relationship was 5-10 years
that works best for me

I was 17, he was 24. The age gap wasn't a problem for us, age is just a number.

I'm 20 and my boyfriend, who I have been with for almost 2 years, is 32. The oldest guy I've ever dated was 38, I was 18, and the youngest guy I've ever dated seriously was 21, when I was 17. I've always liked older men. I think it's because I'm very mature for my age.

I used to say that if I couldn't have gone to high school with them, they were out of my age range. I currently have a thing for my 25 year old boss. I'm 31. The interest is mutual but I question the longevity if it all and think "what does he want with a 31 year old when he could have a 21 year old?"

I've always had issues with dating younger guys than myself, let alone guys same age. Since high school I've always hung out with guys at least 4+ yrs older & therefore only ever dated older.

A few years ago I decided to be less focused on the age of guys. Youngest I've dated was 3yrs younger & that was last year, it didn't last as he was like a male version of me, we're still friend though.

Oh the situation is complicated. I've been divorced. I'm not to keen on getting married anytime soon. we haven't done the "do" but we both want to. Like I said, he's my boss and has a great future in store for himself without me. We try to be rational and end it all now before it becomes serious, but we're so drawn to each other that rationality goes wayward.

My partner is 12 years younger than me - although to be honest I never met a man who aged past about 3 :laugh:

My partner is 12 years younger than me, we have been together for 13 years :flowerforyou: . In my past relationship b4 this my partner was 9 years older than me, we had 3 beautiful girls, and a happy life till he passed away. I believe age does not matter, love matters

You are not an idiot at all. When I was 24 I was involved with someone in her early 30's and it was great. But it ran its course for the same reason. And it is not fair to either of you if you don't want kids or marriage right now, and she does.

I think it's harder when the woman is older if she wants kids because it takes men generally more time to get to that point where they can see having kids. It can work but I think it's not most men who are in that place at 24, at least in American culture.

In the end it comes down to where each of you are at - there are women who never want kids and men who want them early...

I think as a general principle it's nice to be able to go through the same things together and if there's too big a gap it's less likely you will have that in common with someone.

In life its hard to find someone you feel so strongly about and love so much... age comes into it for all the wrong reasons.. and your concerns about a 40 year old woman giving birth to your children???? Thats pretty much the norm these days... I know friends who have given birth well into their 40s...

what is more important is the way you feel about this woman... and how she feels about you... everything else will fall into place once you both talk about what your future together really means to each other !!!

The youngest was one year younger than me.

The oldest was 15.5 years older than me, and I've been happily married to him for 18 years now! When we met, I was 19 and he was 35. Everyone of my friends thought I was nuts, but the heart falls for who it wants and doesn't care about age. We are soulmates!