In our society, age gap relationships are not uncommon but there is still a social stigma attached to it.
Not that it is not approved but it still is something that raises people's eyebrows.
Just look at Hollywood.
The marriage of Michael Douglas to Catherine Zeta-Jones made a huge buzz.
They have been bombarded by the media and a lot of people said that their relationships will never last.
It has been years now but the couple still look happy.
But is this kind of relationship good for you? What are the advantages and challenges of getting into this relationship? As far as relationships are concerned, it may seem simple to assume that people will be just like any other regardless of age and that as long as you love one another, everything will be fine.
However, you need to consider a lot of things such as maturity and financial stability before getting into age gap relationships.
It is not something that you get into and just leave behind if it does not work for you.
Below we will discuss more about this so you can make an informed decision whether or not to pursue this type of romance.
Your Personality First of all, you need to know yourself.
Do you have what it takes to get into an age gap relationship? As mentioned earlier, there is a serious social stigma attached to this.
People will talk about you and you will experience a lot of pressure.
You will have a tough time dealing with this because even strangers will give you that stare when you and your partner are in public places.
This kind of relationship will also pose serious issues on your lifestyle.
Older individuals are likely to stay home and stay that way.
They do not want to go out a lot because they are done with that phase of their lives.
If you are young and vibrant, your partner may not understand your need to go out and have fun.
These differences in personality and interests will take a huge toll in your partnership and you need to be prepared.
The maturity of each person will also play a huge part in the success of the relationship.
Jealousy and poor self-esteem are common.
It is not unlikely for the older person will feel inadequate and will always use his or her old age for emotional blackmail.
Your Motive What is your motive in getting into a relationship in which you and your partner have a huge age gap? If you need a stable person who is mature, then this might work for you.
Some people may look for financial stability but this is not really a good reason or motivation to get into this kind of relationship because most young people nowadays also keep a decent job.
Try to identify the things that the two of you have in common.
If you share the same passion, this kind of relationship is likely to work.
This is precisely because you will have the same interests and it is also highly likely that you will frequent the same places, watch the same movies, and enjoy the same crowd.
Your Responsibility Older people may already have children from previous relationships.
Can you deal with these parental responsibilities? You need to be prepared for problems such as taking care of children who are not your own.
This also entails other financial responsibilities that your spouse may not be able to fulfil because he also has other obligations on the other side.
The two of you should also discuss your plans about having children because this is something that can either make or break your relationship.
Always keep in mind that the purpose of getting a partner is to have someone you can spend the rest of your life with.
Differences in status, principles, religion, and beliefs will significantly affect how the two of you maintain a good partnership.
The people around you may not approve and may find it gross but at the end of the day, it is your happiness and fulfilment that counts.
You should not be afraid of trying new things but you need to weigh your motives and obligations carefully.