Relationships can be hard to navigate.

The taboo surroundingage-gap relationshipsis real.

Age-gap relationships can make or break under the right circumstances, just like any other relationship.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi posing

“My husband is 13 years my senior.

Successfully agreeing to disagree when necessary has helped our marriage thrive, as well.”

Most of the myths surrounding this is more societal and has very less scientific or experimental backing.

Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas posing

“My husband and I are 19 years apart; we were 21 and 40 when we started dating.

According to the rule, this couple’s age gapjustbecame socially acceptable.

As you get older, the socially acceptable age gap also increases.

George and Amal Clooney smiling at camera

With time, a couple that used to be socially unacceptable can actuallybecomeacceptable.

While people love to quote this when calling outage-gaprelationships, the rule has little scientific basis to it.

According toPsychology Today, “The rule does not map perfectly onto actual reports of what is socially acceptable.

Gloria and Jay Pritchett sitting next to each other

The equation also doesn’t take into account traditions, patriarchy, and other social factors.

This is not necessarily the older partner.

Age is not directly proportional to emotional maturity.

Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones posing

Being the older partner doesn’t guarantee maturity nor does being the younger partner guarantee immaturity.

Gloria, the second wife of Jay Pritchett is younger than her husband’s daughter, Claire.

The show aptly dismantles the myth by progressively showing the healthy relationship dynamic between the couple.

President Emmanuel Macron and wife smiling

It’s important to understand where this belief comes from.

A surface-level probe is enough to realize that this comes from nothing other than cue drumrollpatriarchy.

Brateman warned us about the pitfalls of making such an assumption, which is basically an outdated stereotype.

Shakira and Gerard Piqué with kids

“I think when you choose a partner, bragging rights shouldn’t be the priority.

You’re attracted to them because they are beautiful, or your personalities match.

This belief comes from the assumption that everybody’s lives run on the same timeline.

Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet smiling

Age is not the only factor contributing to your financial status.

When asked about the assumption that younger partners financially rely on their older halves, Wutt Yee firmly disagreed.

“These days younger women also have their own career and their own income.

Beyonce and Jay-Z posing for pictures

So they don’t really depend on their husbands financially.

In fact, in our case, I have more money than him,” she told Vice Asia.

While society believes such, studies prove otherwise.

This suggests that sexual compatibility between older women and younger men is potentially a more suitable match.

Milos joked that his wife takes good care of him.

Julie, 60 and Brandi, 39 have been together for 19 years.

Having such a big age span means there are no life scripts for us.

“I’m 58 and my GF of 18 months is 25.

She’s mature, articulate, intelligent, and has a very good career.

Amy, 33 and Matt, 49 highlighted the importance of celebrating the similarities and differences in a relationship.

Wealth, experiences, and upbringing are also very important contributing factors.

In a personal essay titled, “What is an acceptable age gap in relationships?”

Like any other relationship, age-gap partners also bring certain strengths and weaknesses to the table.

Acknowledging and holding space for these differences is vital for any partnership, including an age-gap relationship to flourish.