Ask Fred > Family > What advice do you have for age difference in relationship?
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Dear Fred
From your observations, what are the pitfalls that may beset a couple with a sizable age difference (13 years). Does it matter if the female is older? I'm in my mid twenties and I've dated a lovely woman for nearly a year and would marry her tomorrow, but she is concerned about growing old ahead of me. We have no couples in the same boat to mentor us or model ourselves after.
Fred's Response
Does she have any hesitations about marriage other than age? i have seen several couples with age differences which have proven very successful. Generally the age difference has each partner in a different phase of life. For example, if the young husband still wants to be involved in sports and the wife shares his enjoyment, that is great. However, if she wants to do things of interest to someone older there might be a conflict. Your individual interest in each other and compatibility is the key. A wife older than the husband is a good thing because actuarially women have a longer life expectancy! Where there is true love each will be giving to the other more than they are expecting.
