Does everyone else's opinion really matter?

Age is mostly important when you’re quite young or quite old.  Obviously, if someone is under the legal age of consent, there is a problem.  And of course problems come up when an older man (or woman) dates or marries a partner who is the same age as their children.  Barring these two situations, there’s nothing anyone should really have to say about age difference in a relationship.  I married my husband when I was 18 and he was 25.  Now I’m 28, and he’s 35.  It was a bigger deal when I was younger, but now we don’t even think about it.

One major thing to consider when you’re looking at age is the difference in the maturity level.  There are some 18 year old girls who would not be able to handle marriage (I wasn’t the best wife, and I still have a lot to learn). At the same time, I would never have considered marrying any 18 year old or even 20 year old guy I knew.  I was way above them in maturity.  More important than physical age is an interest in the same things, like does the younger one like to go to parties and the older one would rather stay home and read a book?  Maybe the younger person is still shopping around, but the older one is ready to settle down, marriage, kids, and a home.  These are the things that will cause problems, not what year you were born.

If your partner is much older than you, more than 10 or 15 years, you should consider that down the road you may be taking care of them physically and financially as they age. They’re also more likely to die before you.   When you’re the same age, or close to the same age, this is not much of a concern.  You go through the same kinds of things at the same time.  But when there’s a large difference, it’s more of a big deal.  Of course, love is more important than all this, and hopefully if you’re serious about the person you already plan to take care of them and support them, no matter what life brings.  For a short term romance or fling, this isn’t a consideration at all!

Another thing to consider, with your maturity level, is that friends and loved ones might find fault with your relationship if there is a large age difference. You have to ask yourself if you can handle that, or if it going to cause problems for you or your partner.  If you’re mature enough to ignore their unenlightened comments, and you know in your heart that this is the person for you, then don’t worry about it.

All in all, no one should be able to tell two consenting adults who love each other that it is wrong.  No matter their age, gender, race, religious beliefs, income level, beauty, etc.  People fall in love with each other regardless of these factors, and as odd as some couple may be together, they should be allowed to love each other freely.

Thanks to mzacha from morguefile.com for the photo