Age is just a number, but what’s the number? Age Gap is common in relationships, but does it matter? Let’s discuss it below!
Age Gap relationships, often referred to as May-December relationships are romantic relationships with a significant age gap between the couple. The age gap can range from three years to ten. Age Gap relationships are not new, let’s be honest child marriages were a norm in our country just some decades ago. However, these relationships garner a variety of awkward and judgemental reviews from people, all because of societal norms and expectations.
Age Gap relationships are usually seen through the sceptical lenses of either of the person seeking financial balance or sexual fulfilment. Additionally, while the women are considered to be in an age gap relationship for the money, the men are in it for the sex.
Ignoring all these stereotypes and judgemental eyes, we are here to analyse if age gap relationships matter between a couple.
Understanding Age Gap in Relationships
Women mature two to three years earlier than men as also they reach menopause earlier. The boy is expected to be older than the girl. Traditionally, sastras (treatises) say a man has to marry a younger woman, who is physically and mentally healthy. Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra prescribes a three- year age gap.
Reproductive Aspects of Age Gap
Girls mature earlier than boys. While girls mature between 10-14 years of age, boys mature between 12-16 years of age. Earlier, the norm was for the boy to be older than the girl. Considering a woman attains menopause around 48-50 years, her reproductivity capability is between 20-30 years. Later, this capability decreases and the egg production in ovaries is reduced. However, a man is capable of producing sperm even between 70-75 years of age.
Sexual Aspects of Age Gap
A woman’s desires and sexual responses peak between 20-35 years of age. However for men, sexual desire and activity peak at 35 and after. This is another reason for a proper age difference. At the 40-50 year age group the man has more desire but the wife’s is waning. At 60-70 years the man’s sexual capability decreases. Thus, a too high or low age gap would both pose a problem.
Read Also: Why Is Couples Counselling Necessary Before Marriage?
The Ideal Age Gap
In earlier times, the age gap could be between 10-15 years. Considering the society, where women were completely devoted and accepted the difference, there was no hindrance apart from reproduction which seemed to be a problem. We still see that our parents, aunts and uncles have a high age gap between them but have been leading loving and successful marriages.
In the current times, people are more towards finding partners who are of the same age so as to have a similar understanding and balance. However, studies declare that in the long run these relationships don’t really work out because of egos and dislikes and variety in mental maturity and attitude.
Therefore, as per studies a 4-5 year age gap provides the most stable relationships. Gaps between 8-10 years show higher disillusionment, interpersonal quarrels and resulting separation. Bigger age gaps may work for some couples but can not be generalised.
Does Age Gap Really Matter?
Well, we have given all the reasons why an age gap is just right for relationships. Is it high or low, what if you face reproductive or sexual problems, well there’s always a solution. And as we all know but sometimes forget to acknowledge, “Age is just a number.” A healthy and successful relationship is much more dependent on mental maturity, love, understanding and compatibility. In the era of live-in relationships, try out cohabitation to see if you are ‘IT’ for each other.
Read Also: Important Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Marriage
Accepting an age gap relationship will firstly stem from you and then from others. Once you are confident about your relationship, things like age never seem to matter. Love trumps it all, right?
