Age-gap relationships, those with a significant age difference between partners, are controversial.
But these relationships have been around for much longer than they’ve been a trending topic.
Note: Some participants' last names have been omitted to protect their anonymity.
Is the younger person in the relationship for money?
Every age-gap couple we spoke to said they encounter many misconceptions about their relationship.
People often believe one or both partners has ulterior motives for being together.
He told The List, “People think I’m with Brian for financial security.
David, 56, andChristina Rodriguez, 36, encounter the same assumption frequently.
However, they clarified that this is not the case.
“Both are so far from the truth.”
Are there unhealthy power dynamics in age-gap relationships?
Aaron Conley, 45, has been with Katrina Pietraskiewicz, 34, for 12 years.
But this wasn’t true with him and Katrina.
“Sometimes you just meet someone, and it clicks,” Aaron said.
“My family is not happy about this.
They don’t understand,” Alex said.
“At first, part of me understood it, but we’ve been together for two years.
They should be more open to it.”
“I can’t go with him to events.
I can’t be with him at Thanksgiving,” she said.
However, not all age-gap relationships will face this hurdle.
However, the older partner can also benefit from the relationship and be introduced to new ideas and experiences.
Batya, 35, appreciates that she and Jerry, 69, can bring different perspectives to the relationship.
“We guide each other,” Batya said.
“We’d be the blind leading blind through life if the same age.”
What’s in it for the older partner?
“I’ve just always been very energetic, very youthful, and very active,” she said.
“[She] has taught me how to stay healthy and take better care of myself.
She keeps my life interesting and fun,” he said.
“On a grander scale, she has made me more socially conscious and open-minded.”
“James has the old soul, and I have the young spirit.
James, [24], is emotionally mature, which is something I need in a partner.”
They face issues that any couple might, but their age gap is rarely a factor.
“I have never had the thought, ‘She is acting her age.’
If anything, she probably thinks, ‘Why is he acting my age?'”
People assume we can’t have conversations because I won’t get certain references.”
“We share so many interests, which is why we got together in the first place.
Many couples mentioned having similar disconnects in pop culture knowledge.
For example, Jef is 73 and retired, and his wife Michele, 58, is still working.
Being in different stages of their lives is difficult for him.
“She is my best friend, and I wish we were retired together,” Jef told us.
“It’s hard seeing her go to work every day.”
As those stages of life change, there will also be changes in health and lifestyle.
Jon and Brian love traveling together, but Jon worries it might not always be possible.
However, they’re hopeful they’ll make it work together.
“I think about what comes next much more than I would with a younger husband.
I lose sleep over the ‘what if’s.'”
Batya has the same worries about Jerry.
I don’t want anything to happen that’ll lessen our time even more.”
The misconceptions about age gaps have pushed Alex to be more open and share his relationship with Rachel onTikTok.
“At the beginning of our relationship, both of us felt a little weird being out in public.
I just stopped caring,” Alex said.
“I’m proud of my relationship; I’m not ashamed of it.
I’ll just show off Rachel and show off us.”
