You are walking down an upscale boulevard minding your own business and notice a beautiful young woman happily window shopping with her dad, you then notice them embrace and kiss in a manner that was anything but fatherly.

The normal response in mixed company when talking about the age difference in relationships is who really cares? But the truth is that any relationship with a big age difference is going to discreetly be talked about or at least quietly questioned.

Many older successful men like to keep what is commonly referred to as Sugar babies or the Trophy Wife as a significant other. These men, often called Sugar daddies, when seeking a relationship with a significant age difference love the fact that it gives them the illusion of power in the eyes of their peers. Women who enjoy the same feelings of control over younger men are often identified as Cougars.

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What is the maximum age difference?

There are limits to how far a couple can stretch the age difference in a relationship, and many seem to accept the half your age plus seven rule. This would mean that a man 50 years old could date a woman as young as 32, 50/2 + 7 = 32. This formula is just a loose approximation as the age difference dating older men can vary greatly with wealth and the ability to bestow the sugar babies with gifts. This calculation seems to work better with a big age difference when dating younger women or searching for the trophy wife, it seems to be a bit less accepted in regards to Cougars.

Significant age gaps are merely a picture and are subject to individual interpretation, there is no science behind what the proper age limits are for dating or falling in love. The important thing to remember about relationships is they must be treated exclusively on that particular relationship.

Why date someone much older or younger?

One thing that those who enter into relationships with big age differences fail to understand are the actual reasons that someone gets involved in such relationships. It is interesting to note that generally the larger the age gap between two people the greater the likelihood of that union failing. Many say that love has no reason, but quite often in relationships with a big age difference love is not the motivating factor.

There are many reasons for dating a man who is much older such as; the need for a father figure is greater than the need for someone to share intimate moments with. Dating a younger woman may be an attempt to hold onto fading youth, and either gender may look toward an older individual as an effort to acquire some form of financial stability with someone already stable and established.

Dealing with the crowd

Love is not reasonable and it can take you in some very strange directions but the one constant in a true relationship is that are there are genuine feelings involved as well. This is very important as those involved in relationships with big age differences will undoubtedly come into contact with those who have no problems condemning such relationships. True feelings will assist in allowing a couple to disregard or counter any criticism.

How big an age difference is too much?

When dating an older man or woman just realize that there is a point when the age difference is a bit much and should be carefully evaluated, but for the most part if it feels right, go for it, as you are the only one that has to pay the price for a mistake, or will enjoy the benefits of a good relationship. Remember that in different places the age of consent is not the same and you should be aware of this to make sure you have done nothing illegal. Sometimes a big age difference means nothing, but when it transcends generations and the way people look at the world around them it can make a real relationship either difficult or unrealistic