Some individuals view age simply as a number, while for others, engaging with someone significantly older or younger may not be appealing.
Although ‘age gap relationships’ can be contentious, research suggests that partnering with someone a bit older or younger can result in long-term happiness.
According to Psych Central, there exists an age disparity that enhances satisfaction among couples.
Research in the Journal of Population Economics, published in 2017, indicated that couples with substantial age differences experienced a more rapid decline in relationship satisfaction during the initial six to ten years of marriage compared to those closer in age.
“Relationship satisfaction decreased slightly for couples with age gaps of four to six years and continued to decrease for couples with an age gap of seven or more years,” Psych Central reports.
Essentially, while age gaps can offer successful relationships, smaller differences might be more favorable.
For heterosexual couples, having an age difference of up to three years, with the male being older, was most prevalent and associated with higher satisfaction levels compared to larger age gaps.
Conversely, an age gap ranging from one to three years was deemed ideal.
Of course, every relationship and individual is different, so naturally, people have varying views on the matter.
A Reddit user said: “An 8 year age gap between two consenting adults is fine. It is more an issue of personal compatibility, mutual attraction & ambitions and shared lifestyle preferences.”
Another commented, “I’m a female and my bf and I were 12 years apart and he was younger so… we were really happy too and never noticed it so I think age is just a number at a certain point and everyone is different.”
A couple with a significant 45-year age difference recently shared their experiences.
Stefani, currently 29, first crossed paths with Don, now 74, when she was 20 years old and employed at a pub.
Recalling their initial encounter in an interview with Love Don’t Judge, she said: “I just thought he was so handsome and he was charming and super flirty. And I don’t know, it just made me happy.”
Don frequented the pub, and they soon became more than friends, despite Don being the same age as Stefani’s late father.
While the couple was content, Stefani’s family found the relationship challenging.
“They thought I was making a mistake”, she explained, with her mother believing Stefani was ‘losing out on a chance to meet somebody that she could grow old with’.
Yet, despite concerns regarding their relationship, the couple married and became parents to a son, Lachlan, who is now a toddler.
“I really don’t care what people on the street say about it,” Stefani stated.