Example Of Essay On Does Age Matter In A Relationship

The common adage goes that “age is nothing but a number” and Mark Twain said that “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” Yet, even with such sayings being common in today’s society, relationships between people who have a significant age gap are still frowned upon. The younger woman married to an older man is termed as a gold digger while the older woman married to a younger man is termed as a cougar, all these labels are derogatory. This is despite the fact that age difference in a relationship doesn’t matter because the success or failure of a relationship is determine by a myriad of factors most of which are not age dependent.
Perhaps the main reason that relationships with huge age gaps are frowned upon is because people in such relationships are perceived to get into them due to selfish reasons. The older man who marries a younger woman is said to be looking for an ego boost while the older woman is said to be looking for a ‘toy boy’. The younger partner in these types of these couples is said to be after money. However, in reality these are just stereotypes, people get into relationships because they benefit them in one way or the other. Even in couples who have a socially acceptable age gap, the need for an attractive partner or one who is financially stable is still present.
Partners in such relationships are also thought to be ‘unequally yoked’ mainly in terms of maturity. In many societies, advanced age is perceived to be equal to increased maturity. This is, however, not always true as it is not difficult to find an older person who has a lot of childish behaviors or a young person who is very mature. Maturity is determined by an individual’s upbringing and life experiences and is, therefore, not dependent on age.
Age difference is a matter of perception, a relationship between a 10 year old and a 20 year old is outrageous, yet a relationship between a 30 year old and a 40 year old is acceptable. This goes to show that the effect of age differences reduces as people grow older which proves that age is just but a number.
It is a fact that people in these relations are in different stages of their lives, the older partner may have already retired while the younger one is still working. The question of old age, the accompanying health issues and imminent death can also not be ignored. These challenges are seen to be the death of these relationships. What society does not realize is that diseases and death can occur at any age and are consequently not a reserve for the old. These challenges can occur to any couple at any time regardless of their age gap and should not be a reason for two people who genuinely love each other not to be together.
Many relationships between people with huge age gaps fail, but again so do relationships between people with small age gaps. If a small age gap was the only requirement for a successful relationship then we would not be having high divorce rates because couples with huge age differences are the exception, not the norm. It is therefore unfair to discriminate against people who love each other due to stereotypes that make their lives difficult. Relationships are built on more than just age; love, friendship, trust, respect, understanding and commitment are more important.