Age Differences

[FHwku]

Dear Dr. Ruth,
to most, 6 years doesn't seem like a big age difference. i like her, but to me 6 years is a lifetime. especially if you're 6 years old. i thought i knew it all at 18, but by 21 i realized i knew nothing when i was 18.

can i really expect to have comparable relationship experiences with a 30-year-old divorcee? i like her a lot, but we're really good friends. we just met earlier this summer, but we talk on the phone 3 or 4 times a week about nothing. also, we work together. should i give it some time (and give some other guy the chance to move in,) or just go ahead and start dating her?

sincerely,
baby ruth

[SoCalGirl]

As I was turning on my computer I was thinking about how now that I'm in my late 20s my age range for men has widened. I used to stick to a four year range. Now it's more like 6-8 years. I say go for it!

[GAC3710]

My wife is 5 1/2 years younger than me. She acts older than the women I know that are around my age and with my occasional help she is far more responsible. I think it depends on the person and what you want in a partner. With you being the younger man and her being the older woman, I would say take advantage of this opportunity and learn what you can from her. If nothing else you will come out of this knowing more about women than many of your peers. Good Luck!

[valkyrie]

My "old man" is 6 1/2 years younger than I am, and it has never been a problem. If the age difference is your only concern, I say go for it, and good luck!

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by FHwku

i like her, but to me 6 years is a lifetime. especially if you're 6 years old.

that's hilarious. thank you

also, my answer now:

go ahead and date her. If you don't like, you can break up with her later, but if you don't ask her out, you'll never know.

[smiley21]

I think that once you reach 21 and are mature enough, then age differences should not be a big deal. If that is your preference, then what could be wrong with it? I think that our point of view when it comes to age differences are way too influenced by what society thinks. Who cares? If that is what you want then go for it. I am 24 and dating a guy who is 31 and it is working out great.

[ZTAMich]

My fiance is 14yrs old than I am. He acted somewhere between the young guys closer to my age & the sketchy older guys closer to his age, so it all worked out for us. Age is just a number, having mutual interests, etc make the relationship work. Go for it!

[xo_kathy]

Originally Posted by ZTAMich

My fiance is 14yrs old than I am. He acted somewhere between the young guys closer to my age & the sketchy older guys closer to his age, so it all worked out for us. Age is just a number, having mutual interests, etc make the relationship work. Go for it!

Michelle: Welcome to the 14 Club!!!! (And when did you get engaged?!)

My husband is also 14 years older than me and it's all good.

[JonInKC]

I was in a relationship with a woman ten years older for a while.