For me age isn't important, it's only a number. What is important to me is that we have enough things in common, we're compatible with our relationship wants/needs, we're in similar places in life now and we're on the same page with what we both want in the future.

the guidelines I went by while I was dating was plus or minus 10 years. With an ABSOLUTE cutoff as halfway to my oldest child. That came out to 28 at the time.

I personally found that while dating, that I tended to not relate well to women under about 35. I did, however, relate well to women in the higher ages.

Age is just a number, but it is a number that can indicate something about personality traits or current life stages.

But, that said, what happens between two consenting adults is their own business... and you really have to wonder about those that would condemn them for it.

I wish you the best of luck!

I agree with Leather - I think as long as you have enough in common age doesn't matter that much.

Depends on the individual. I married a man 8/9 years older than me and there were times I felt a "generation gap" so to speak. After being with him 30 years I decided to go only 5 years plus or minus when I dated. I am happy with that decision. Something the other posters wrote is also key, it depends upon where you are at in life. Look for compatibility

For me, it's been my experience, yes.

No Im 8 yrs older than my hubby and weve been married 17 yrs. I met him when he was 18.

It's a matter of experience and where you are in life. I think I have too much "experience" lol. I want to go back to being sweet and relatively innocent!

And forward-thinking!

An age gap may be an issue or it may not be. Same as a difference in culture, religion, language, socioeconomic status, interests, choices of friends. All these things can be an issue in a relationship. But people don't make such a big deal out of these things. People make wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too big of a deal about age. Age is no more of an issue than any of those other things are. And i think that applies not only when we're talking about people in the 40-60 age gap, as you put it, but also when talking about the 20-40 age gap. That's right, I think a 10-15 year age gap is acceptable even in that age range. Radical right? Well at one time interracial relationships were considered radical. Look where we are now.

Hero, the only opinion that matters is the opinion of the couple. If they're happy together that's all that matters. Others can think what they want to think. Opinions of others will only be a problem for the couple if the couple allows other peoples opinions impact their life, their relationship.

ge CAN make a difference - BUT ultimately it is just a number
let me explain...

if you have a 55yr old man dating a 25yr old girl -
how would thier conversation go???
he can talk about free love and collecting glass bottles for $$$
she can relate by talking about oldies music and how a nickel cant buy you anything.

if a couple with an extreme age gap wants to make it work, more power to them.

as for those with 10yrs or so apart, that is not as dramatic.
BUT it is IF one of them happens to be 18 and the other is pushing 30 - believe me, my in-laws met at 22(father) and 32(mother) & he was hardly a man when she swiped him up and he just adapted - she really took advantage of a young man
but they sure did make a beautiful baby boy =D

but i guess as long as it can work for you....

my hubby is about 347days younger than me...
thank goodness cause i feel bad enough about robbing the cradle as it is! lol

MuchLoveXOX, what makes you think she "took advantage" of him? A 22 year old is not a child. I see nothing wrong with a 32 year old dating a 22 year old. There is no evidence whatsoever that it can't work out or that the younger person is a "victim".

Eharmony and Match are kind of strange when it comes to age. I met a man and dated him for 3 years who was 5 yrs older than myself and unfortunatly it did end up making a difference. He couldn't keep up over time and the fun loving honeymoon period came to a skreetching halt. Women however I think are different we as a whole and Im not a shrink just from what I see is that older woman like younger men cause of your youthful vitality. Cheesy sorry but I think its true. Dont worry about age as much as if you have things in common and can have that comfortable silence...best of luck

lolligag, actually the stereotypical "cheesy" thing to say would be that women prefer older men because their maturity. As for your experience, I REALLY don't think there is much difference between a 40 year old and a 45 year old. If you find that 5 years older is too old, my guess is that you also find that men your age are too old.

I think it is totally up to the people involved- I have dated two guys who were younger than me-not by choice but because they lied to me about their ages. I have learned to check ID's now! lol
I don't like to be older than the guy I am with- it just makes ME feel old- but that's my own personal issue and not about the guy at all.
I was just watching a bit about extreme cougar wives- huge age difference and it was very sad to see young women making nasty comments like "why would he want a really old woman like her when there are us really good looking young women". It proved the point he was making- about the attitude of some younger women. I say to each his/her own it's no ones business buy yours, if you are happy that's all that matters. There will also be those who don't approve or make stupid comments, I once dated a good looking guy and constantly heard "what is he doing with HER"? Things like that can ware on a relationship after a while, it's hard not to let it hurt your self esteem but if your partner loves you that's what's important.