In short, research seems to indicate that in many cultures, an age gap of 1 to 3 years is considered ideal — but some researchers suggest even a relationship with an age gap of less than 10 years will bring more satisfaction.
Couples with an age gap of 1 to 3 years (with the man older than the woman) were the most common and had the greatest levels of satisfaction. Relationship satisfaction decreased slightly for couples with age gaps of 4 to 6 years and continued to decrease for couples with an age gap of 7 or more years.
It's pretty common to date someone who's a few years younger or older than you, and often the age difference is no big deal. Sometimes, maturity levels match, even when ages don't.
A relationship age gap bigger than 10 years often comes with its own set of issues. “While there are always exceptions to rules, a good rule to remember is that dating someone more than 10 years older will present challenges now or later that add to the preexisting challenges any relationship has,” he says.
No, it's not illegal for an 18-year-old to date a 15-year-old. States do not impose laws on the ages that you can date. But, they impose laws on the age of consent and sexual conduct between 15 and 18 year olds. The 18-year-old will not get in trouble for dating the 15-year-old.
If a dating relationship with a minor involves sexual conduct, it can be illegal. The ages of the couple and the state's age of consent will determine whether it is a crime, or not. If it is, the offense is generally statutory rape. However, many states have a close-in-age exception.
It is a very serious offence to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 16 years of age, even if you are in a relationship and they agree, as the law says that they cannot consent. It is still illegal if you are both under 16 years of age.
The age of consent in state laws ranges from 14 to 18; in more than half of the states, the age is 16. In addition, most state laws criminalize sexual activity only when there is a specified age difference—commonly three or four years—between the minor and his or her partner.
What's considered a big age gap when you're dating? An age gap of 10 years or more is considered a big difference. When one person has a decade more life experience than their partner, the couple might be incompatible. You're likely to have different circles of friends, different interests, and different life goals.
Gertrude Grubb Janeway (USA, b. 3 July 1909), was 18 when she married 81-year-old Union Civil War veteran, John Janeway on 9 June 1927 – an age difference of 63 years. The last Union widow of a Civil War veteran, she died 17 January 2003 aged 93.
Nope! It's pretty acceptable. I dated a guy who was only 19 when I was about 22, and my ex husband was three years younger than me (we met when I was 24 and he was 21). Go for it!
It is said that couples who have been together for three years may know by the three-year mark if they want to remain together or not. They may start to see incompatibilities or find themselves arguing more. For some, the three-year mark may involve less conflict.
Is 14 and 16 too big of an age gap? This is not too big of an age gap. It is only two years apart. If the people have a lot in common and are at the same level of maturity then it doesn't matter.
The likelihood of a breakup jumps down as the second and again the third years of a relationship pass. But the fourth year of a couple's life is just as likely as the third to end in departure. It's only after a couple reaches the 5th year of their relationship that the likelihood of break up falls sharply.
“So by the third year, you are beginning to face a powerful breaking point when the wild infatuation has worn off,” Dr Fisher says. “Research shows that initial, intense passion lasts one to three years. When that starts to wear off, there may be a strong emotional attachment — but there may not.
Decision-Making Phase: 2-3 years
Everything is out, exposed, and on the table in this stage of a relationship. You probably know each other's traumas, hang-ups, weaknesses, communication struggles, and most profound needs and fears. It's all out there: You are fully emotionally in the nude.
Legally, there is nothing wrong with pursuing a romantic or sexual relationship since, in all states, 18 is considered an age of consent, and both parties involved are considered adults.
Yes, a younger man falling for an older woman is more common than many think. There are many reasons why younger men fall for older women, but most commonly, he admires her maturity and experience associated with being an older person.
Is it too much of a gap? No it's not. Girls tend to mature earlier than boys, so you are closer in maturity than you may think. And your friendship is a great start for any relationship.
What is the legal age of consent in Australian jurisdictions? The legal age for consensual sex varies between 16 and 17 years across Australian state and territory jurisdictions (see Table 2).
A 16-year-old dating an 18-year-old is not a big age difference. It's only 2 years apart in age and a 16-year-old isn't a child equivalent to a 5-year-old, and an 18-year-old isn't an adult equivalent to a middle-aged man. They're both developmentally adolescents in high school.
15 is below the age of consent in most places (unless they happen to be in Japan) and is not a legal adult age anywhere, but it's only a two year age difference, so if it's consensual and there's nothing sexual going on, then go for it. Yes, that's a norm. A senior + a sophomore dating. That's not weird.
Statutory rape refers to sexual activity involving an adult and a child below the "age of consent." Minors cannot legally consent to have sex with adults, so any form of sexual activity involving an adult and a minor violates the law.
About legal age in Australia
As your child grows up and becomes more independent, you might be wondering how old they need to be before they can do certain things. In Australia, you're considered to be an adult when you turn 18 years old.
This is exactly two years. For example, if a person is 17 and has sex with someone who is 15, it is not a crime. But if the person was 18, it is a crime unless the person believed the person was 16 or older. For more information about what is considered a sexual act, see Sexual assault.