Does Age Matter In A Relationship Essay Sample

Some would claim vehemently that of course age matters in any relationship, that it is one of the cornerstones of a successful and happy pairing. Others would counter with arguments that age is but a number, a means of passing the years that offers little to no bearing on the feelings that two people have for one another. There are those that actually prefer older partners, and those that prefer their relationships to form with younger participants, at a legal age of course. This topic has been a highly debated issue for some time, not to mention a point of frustration with parents and family members throughout the years, particularly when it comes to younger women who look for an older man to spend their life with. On the other side it seems as though there is far less concern with a younger man falling in love with an older woman, or a cougar, as is the term that is so widely used.
Another term is cradle-robber, and there are other derogatory names as well given to those that date, marry, or simply fraternize with those that are far younger than they. Many people would contend that so long as both participants are of legal age, fully able to consent, and show a true desire to be with one another that this would be perfectly okay, that age shouldn’t determine whether or not they can be happy. Some people would be right, as there is a fairly decent percentage of couples that display such age disparity that are perfectly happy and lead full, balanced lives together. In this manner it is easy to believe that age is not so much of an issue, and that it is just what people say, a number.
However, looking from the other side of the issue it is quite easy to look upon the age disparity and judge that the gap is far too great for several reasons. The arguments that are set against this are at times based mostly upon emotion, and offer little if any true basis as to the facts that are often seen to arise in such relationships. Emotion when weighed against hard fact is often a slippery and dangerous slope, and can fail more often than not unless backed up by concrete evidence that it is the wiser course.
Age is indeed an issue in relationships between older and younger participants, and there are several reasons why. One of those that springs to the fore most readily is the matter of life experience, which will allude to maturity level as well. Those who are younger may very well claim to be mature and ready for a step into an older person’s world, but too often they find out that they are anything but prepared, and eventually find that they must give up a good portion of what they consider to be important, as these practices are not nearly as important to an older partner that has likely done it, seen it, and may or may not have anything to do with it anymore.
Maturity is also a very decisive factor. Younger people tend to still be obtaining this trait as they continue to grow, though some do act rather mature for their age, as the saying goes. Still, the mental age, the mental maturity, is oftentimes not on par with an older partner, no matter that the two might seem to mesh perfectly. An older partner in a relationship will only get older, and older, and older, whereas the younger participant will begin to mature far slower, and may very well find that an older partner is no longer what they want, either physically, mentally, or emotionally.
All in all age matters mostly because while it is a number, it is also a gathering of maturity, experience, and an understanding of what is desired in a partner. The guessing game between a younger and older partner is a game of desire and little more.