Research note
Age-gap relationships: more than a number
What a longitudinal marriage study says about age differences, and the conversations worth having as a couple.
An age difference can be part of an introduction. Shared expectations still deserve a conversation.
What the study found
In Australian marriages, an initial satisfaction advantage with younger spouses declined relatively over time, disappearing within 6–10 years.
What that means for dating
This observational marriage study is specific to its setting. It cannot predict an individual couple or establish wealthy older men and younger women as a superior pairing. Our editorial view is to discuss life stages, independence, children, health and how you want to spend your time.
A conversation before assumptions
What relationship are we looking for? How will we make decisions? Can either person comfortably say no? These questions leave room for romance while helping you meet the person behind the first impression. Adults do not need a perfect age-gap formula to choose each other.
Sources
- Lee & McKinnish · 2018 · Journal of Population Economics · DOI: 10.1007/s00148-017-0658-8
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