According to Seth Meyers, Ph.D., a psychologist and author of Overcome Relationship Repetition Syndrome and Find the Love You Deserve, age is more than a number.
A relationship with an age gap of more than ten years frequently has its own set of issues. “While there are always exceptions to the rule, a good rule to remember is that dating someone more than 10 years older will present challenges now or later that add to the pre-existing challenges that any relationship has,” he says.
Couples with a large age gap must carefully consider their options or risk finding themselves in conflicting stages of their relationship. “You can see a variety of cultural references, disapproval from family and friends, and possibly community disapproval as well,” says Rachel Sussman, a New York-based licensed marriage and family therapist. “It may also be difficult to relate to each other’s peer groups,” she adds.
Instead, think about what you want in someone rather than what you want from their age. Think of 10 years as a general guideline, but be open to other ages as well—and don’t limit yourself to dating only someone older. Men should date older women, and women should be open to dating younger men. And we should all be more accepting of others.
Here are a few celebrities with significant age gaps between them:
- Priyanka Chopra & Nick Jonas (11 years)
- Ellen DeGeneres & Portia de Rossi (15 years)
- George Clooney & Amal Clooney (17 years)
- Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds (11 years)
- Jay-Z & Beyoncé (12 Years)
