Does age really matter in a relationship?

 

It’s so cliché to say “age is just a number,” but that isn't going away anytime soon. It’s only natural for one to behave in line with how old or young they are. A twenty-year-old cannot act like a forty-year-old. And that’s because both have different mentally wired behavioral patterns. The big question is, does age really matter in a relationship?

There’s a school of thought that says the man is supposed to be older than the woman. With age comes experience, responsibility, exposure, and of course maturity. Most women expect their men to have all of these and even more. 

Statistics show that men are not really bothered about the age issue. For the average man, it’s not a big deal, he doesn't have a problem dating a woman who is a few years older as long as there are love and mutual respect. As long as she doesn't constantly throw it in his face that she’s older.

So, a woman meets a gentleman, one who ticks all the boxes and complements her. Somewhere along the line, she finds out he’s a few years younger, and then she shuts the door on his face, becoming an obstacle to her own happiness. Is it really worth it? The same scenario applies to a man. Do you let go a good woman simply because she’s some figures older than you? Isn't that extreme?

Sometimes, we pay too much attention to people’s opinions about us. A woman can’t be with a younger man, not because she isn't willing to give it a shot, but because of what her friends will say. Like seriously? So, your happiness now depends on some people whom you aren't even sure care about you, say?  You say age matters in your relationship just because you don’t want to be a laughing stock to people. 

There’s no guarantee that being older is a ticket to maturity as some younger people exhibit a high sense of maturity compared to older ones. In the end, being able to find a mutual balance amidst love, respect and understanding outweighs the digits, because really, age is just a number, especially in relationships.

Have you dated a younger man? Have you dated an older woman? Please share a point or two.