Some relationships with significant age gaps thrive, while others flame out prematurely because of differences in perspective.
Age Difference in Dating: When Does the Age Gap Become Too Big?
It is not uncommon for older men to date younger women. Younger women, who have never been “tainted” by a bad marriage or serious relationship, may seem like a great option for an older man.
Some may call these men “manthers,” mountain lions or even sugar daddies. But is there an age limit to love?
What is it that sets the tone? Does maturity play a role in the maintenance of the relationship? What are some relationships that last versus those that fizzle out in Hollywood?
Despite the belief that younger women are free of baggage and life scars, the age difference in a relationship can still make or break a couple.
All relationships require work and a combined effort to make it successful and healthy. The age difference in dating does not exempt one from dealing with this reality.
Understanding agendas and preferences
Both parties are not naive. Regardless of age, the one thing that is for sure is that everyone has an agenda.
There is a preference sheet that is embedded into everyone’s mind so that they can weave through the unwanted prospects from all walks of life.
Usually, the core challenge with age difference in dating comes from differences within each party’s perspective, interests, and lifestyle when there’s a significant age gap, and these are things that can present alarming hurdles.
According to news reporter Samantha Vallejo, “If the age difference in dating is between a man that is 80 years of age and a woman who was 30 years of age, then there may be a different agenda involved. Not all 80 year olds are in top-notch shape. But then you meet people who don’t age terribly, and in their 60s, that still takes care of themselves and lie about their age.”
The idea women mature faster
One can see why older men would want a younger woman. Most young women are seen as trainable and submissive. Women who are in a relationship with older men tend to love the maturity and information they are able to receive.
The benefits of life lessons are at their fingertips as well as the ability to keep their man young.
Older men are able to connect with younger women on a mature level, and this is why it plays such a big role in the age difference in dating.
According to Charles Hopkins, “Experience, they say, after all, is the best teacher, and until you get what you needed to learn, the lessons will keep repeating themselves to the point of driving you up the wall or downhill. Women in general, are better at this because they have the natural tendency to want to fix things as soon as something goes awry.”
Hollywood Love
In Hollywood, there are plenty of older men with women of a younger age.
There are those who make it work, and unfortunately, those who experience heartbreak because of the age difference in dating.
Those who have made it work include Morgan Freeman, 74, who dates his step-granddaughter E’Dena Hines, 27; Michael Jordan, 49, who is married to Yvette Prieto, 32, and Bruce Willis, 57, who is married to Emma Hemming, 34.
All of these men have effectively made it work and are currently still with their women.
Needless to say, there are also those who fizzled out including the late J. Howard Marshall, 90, and Anna Nicole Smith, 27; Wilmer Valderrama, 33, and Demi Lovato, 20, and Seal, 50, who divorced Heidi Klum, 40, in 2012.
It is no surprise that some Hollywood relationships have a short life span. However, there are those who make it work by understanding each other’s agenda and preferences very well.
To each his own
It all depends on your perspective. If you are an older man in search of a young woman to conquer, more power to you.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a long lasting relationship, there is still hard work involved regardless of the age difference.
As we can see, when it comes to age, there is no limit to love. There are, however, certain agendas and preferences that must be transparent enough to have a mutual understanding.
By doing this, the relationship will also be a success when it comes to age difference in dating.
Maturity plays a vital role in the maintenance of a relationship, which explains why a young woman would prefer an older man. Where some relationships will last, there are always some that will fizzle out.
Despite the belief about younger women and their lack of baggage, the relationship will still require work and cooperation on both ends to be successful.
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