Relationship Guide: How To Make An Age-Gap Relationship Work?

George Clooney & Amal Clooney, Jay-Z & Beyonce, and Leonardo DiCaprio & Camila Morrone are some of the famous couples with big age differences. We often see these couples in the news or in interviews and always wonder how they are making their relationship work despite having such a huge age gap.

The question is quite simple, does age-gap in a relationship work? Well, I think if you really love someone, you don’t have to learn about their gender, age, color, and culture.

The major elements of making a relationship healthy and better are mutual respect, trust, honesty, compromise, and communication power. Then, why do we always point to a relationship with a huge age gap? In this blog, we will be discussing how to make an age-gap relationship work.

Age is just a number… Right?

We all have heard the phrase “age is just a number” a million times! When we can accomplish goals, start a new life from a different perspective, build new hobbies and interests, and start a new job at any point of age. Then why can’t we date partners 10 years younger or older than us? Maybe we are stuck on the point that our partner should be similar to us in every way.

Age-gap relationships are also referred to as “May-December relationships.” According to research, a three-year gap in a relationship works better wherein men always tend to be older.  Well, I would still love to say that age is just a number, and to make a relationship work you need effort, love, and trust!

Do Age-Gaps in a relationship make people uncomfortable?

A huge age gap in a relationship can generate self-consciousness at some level and that is why a relationship does not work. Additionally, it also causes hypersensitivity towards each other. Such negative responses to a huge age gap can result in an inequitable and unfair relationship.

According to psychologists, when people date partners with a huge-age gap, it becomes a striking issue between partners and it can also be a deal-breaker, especially during the early stages of developing a relationship. Sometimes, partners also start responding to May-December relationships in a negative way because they start feeling that the older person is seeking their advantage.

At some point, age-gap in a relationship might make a person feel uncomfortable but with the right approach, love, trust, and understanding age-gap relationships can work.

The Psychology behind Age-Gap Relationship

Age is just a number but it can be a crucial factor when we try to approach our relationship. According to psychology, age-gap relationships are all about adapting strategies that make relationships work. Prior, women tend to choose partners who are older than them to support their needs and willingness. But, now it’s the opposite.

Women choose their partners depending on their emotional needs. Similarly, prior men used to choose their partners a little younger to promote fertility. This explains why age-gap relationships can work despite having a huge age gap.

Benefits of Age-Gap Relationship

Here are some of the benefits of age-gap in a relationship:

• You get to date a mature person (if you’re dating someone old).
• You tend to get different and unique views and outlook toward every situation or life.
• You are likely to be settled (if you’re dating someone old).
• A younger partner provides better physical, financial, and emotional support.

Drawbacks of Age-Gap Relationship

Here are some of the disadvantages of having an age-gap relationship:

• The age-gap relationship turns sour within some time of dating or marrying.
• The satisfaction level of both partners comes down.
• Chances of divorce get increased
• Dating a younger person could lead to marital instability
• The couple has to deal with social disapproval
• Priorities toward life change drastically
• The fertility rate is reduced
• Intimacy and satisfaction gets reduced
• Socializing is reduced

Strategies to Make an Age-Gap Relationship

After weighing the merits and demerits of an age-gap relationship, it’s time to find out how we can make an age-gap relationship work effectively.

1.Provide space

Do not get clingy; just try to give them space so that they can recognize what is more important.

2.Have some patience

Being composed and calm are the major elements of a better relationship. Therefore, try to view things from a positive perspective and keep supporting them.

3.Enjoy simple and small things

Life is full of ups and downs and life keeps on throwing challenges. Therefore, try to find peace and enjoyment in little things.

4.Be flexible

Don’t be so strict or rigid with your partner because they are still trying to figure out their needs.  Try to build a strong connection by taking the help of empathy.

5.Focus on romance

Try to be happy and content with romance so that your partner can understand you from your perspective. Having an active sex life can help in resolving most of the issues.

6.Communicate your feelings

Half of the problems can be really solved with the help of effective communication. Therefore, try to share everything with your partner so that they can reflect on the same.

7.Love without putting conditions

The best way to make the age-gap relationship work is to remove limitations or boundaries. Love them unconditionally and start being kind and affectionate towards each other.

Key Takeaway

Age is just a number and you can make an age-gap relationship work. If you are looking for more suggestions and opinions in terms of an age-gap relationship, you can try connecting with a certified and registered relationship counselor.

Related Read: All you need to know about Couple Counseling

To connect with a certified and registered couple counselor from BetterHelp, click here.

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I hope this blog helps you with understanding why age-gap in relationships should not matter. Comment down and share your views on the same. For more such content, connect with us on all social media platforms.

Thanks for reading!