Last update: 11 September, 2015
We tend to think that couples with a lot of age difference exist only in show business, but that's not the case. Moreover, this is often not well regarded by the couple's family and friends, especially when she is the woman who is the oldest.
Lei 45, his 25
Would you have the same idea if it were the other way around? What if he was 45 and she was 25? The age difference is the same (20 years), but on a socio-cultural level the perception is distinct.
Couples in which the woman is much older than the man are, in general, frowned upon. This does not mean that there are fewer unions of this type, but it is certain that we have been educated in a culture in which we do not see with the same eyes a relationship in which the man is older than the woman and one in which the woman has more years of man.
This is because a couple in which a woman is older than a man is synonymous with social rejection. When a "mature" man introduces his young girlfriend, all friends and family praise him for the great achievement and wish to imitate him. When, on the other hand, a woman introduces her younger boy to her, her friends look at her with envy, but they hardly accept the union.
Nowadays, it is more common for men to win over younger women than vice versa. A study carried out in England reflects that marriages in which the groom is 6 to 10 years older than the bride account for more or less 14% of all marriages, while the unions of women 10 years older than men represent only 3% of marriages.
Characteristics of couples in which the woman is larger than the man
Now we will talk about the relationship that, between the two alternatives, is viewed less favorably. It is likely that neither member of the couple wants to make the relationship public, so they prefer to see each other in less frequented places, because they are ashamed of what others will say.
If they choose to tell their loved ones, they may have to endure a lot of pressure and actual mental stoning from colleagues and family members, especially at the expense of the woman. This attitude it can undermine the strength of the couple and make the bond less sustainable.
It is common for fears, insecurities and jealousies to arise, especially on the part of the woman. For example, competition with other younger women can turn her into a chronic or pathological jealousy. This context leads to arguments, street scenes, misunderstandings, etc.
It would be interesting to analyze why a relationship with so much age difference. Women, by choosing such a relationship, think they feel younger and happier, but things don't always go that way. Of course, it is good that the woman cares more about her appearance, increases her self-esteem, she feels more carefree; however, these benefits can occur early in any relationship.
Characteristics of couples in which the man is larger than the woman
Perhaps, given that the couples in which the man is older than the woman are more numerous, you may have thought that they cannot be analyzed, because there is a greater variability. In reality, even in this case, it is possible to make a picture of the situation.
In primo luogo, why does a "mature" man decide to go out or start a relationship with a young girl? For the same reason women of a certain age go out with guys who could be their children.
There is a certain stage in life, which most individuals enter by the age of 50, where men begin to feel old and, one of the ways to rejuvenate, besides going to the gym, shaving and dressing with less serious clothes, it's just having a very young girlfriend.
In this case, society sees the intentions of the girl negatively and not those of the man, since he believes that his choice is due to convenience and not to sincere love. In reality, this idea could only make sense if the man of the couple were a multimillionaire.
In both cases, as you can see, it is the role of the woman that is frowned upon, and not that of the man. If we stopped constantly formulating prejudices, perhaps we could begin to accept all types of unions, regardless of age, race, religion or social position.
