I have a bit of a unique perspective in the area of age gaps. I am 15 years older than my wife and also a couples counselor. My wife was 23 when we met. I was 38. I already had four children, the oldest of which was 19 and not happy about my relationship. In fact, none of my family was happy about it. My wife's family welcomed me. Perhaps that was because her mother was 15 years older than her step-father. Today my children, their children and our families no longer notice our age differences.
We've been together about 25 years, married 22 of those. We are experiencing a few age related problems because my knees seem to have aged faster than me. On the other hand, she is experiencing ankle problems because of an injury. So, we get to help each other heal.
Over the years I have counseled couples with a wide range of issues. My clients have included age gap couples. For the most part the issues have been similar, regardless of age differences. Communication, financial, sexual, infidelity, children, and on and on. Couples don't differ a whole lot regardless of their ages or relative ages.
Yes, there have been age gap issues in my relationship and those of some of my clients. The key to solutions seems to always be the same. Do we love each other enough to do the work required to find a solution. I also find that to be the key regardless of age.
So, do age gap relationships work? Yes and no. They work if the quality of the relationship is such that it can survive normal relationship problems as well as those you experience with society and family because of age differences. If the quality is not there, you can expect problems regardless of your ages.
