Age is just a number, right? For some couples, absolutely. For others, however, age is much more than a number.
The age difference between the partners can create concerns that the relationship may not work or problems with how people will view their relationship. In these cases, the difference is considerable. We mention Katharine McPhee, whose husband (David Foster) is 35 years older, or George Clooney, whose wife is 17 years younger than him.
Evidence suggests that age-related prejudices come more from the idea that the older person is "benefiting more" from the younger person (Collisson & De Leon, 2018).
According to evolutionary psychology, age preferences are embedded in "our mating psychology." The way we think about romantic relationships is a crucial factor that shapes the way we approach these relationships.
Evolutionary psychology is based on the premise that the human mind has evolved adaptive strategies to support reproduction and survival (Buss, 2016). Along these lines, from early generations, women benefited by seeking men who have the status and resources to support child rearing and a willingness to do so. These traits are associated with older men. Meanwhile, men have evolved a preference for younger women because their youth is a signal for fertility.
This explains why women prefer and tend to marry slightly older men and why men tend to prefer and marry slightly younger women. Thus, age difference relationships often reflect the evolving preferences of men for younger, fertile women, and the evolved preferences of women for older men, with high status. In this respect, this age difference is also a strong intercultural trend.
However, this is not always the case. We know many couples where female partners are the ones who are older in age. We mention Pryanka Chopra, who is 10 years older than her husband, Nick Jonas or Madonna's boyfriend, who is 35 years younger than her.
Surprisingly, in young couples where both partners are under 25, women tend to be older. Whereas, in older age groups, where men are in their forties and above, women tend to be younger. - At least this has been shown by the birth statistics of these couples in the US.
If you are in a relationship with a large age difference, there are some questions you can ask yourself:
- Is the relationship long-term or short-term?
- Do you share the same goals for life?
- Are you planning to have children?
- Do your family and friends support you?
Finally, you need to understand that age may not matter at all in the success of a relationship. When two people are suitable for each other, share common, have the same vitality, energy, age is the last thing to think about. It is the emotions, thoughts and daily behaviors that define a relationship.
Burimi: Psychology Today
