I’m interested in dating someone much older/younger than me. What can you advise?

Marriage yesterday and today

In the past it was normal for men to marry younger women and the age difference was not usually great. Men and women married young as people did not usually live long lives. These days people are living well into their 80s and 90s and so they are leaving it later to get married, concentrating on getting an education and career first. The effect of people leaving marrying till later is that for women the “body clock” is still ticking. If a single Christian woman leaves the serious pursuit of a partner until she is in her mid twenties this leaves her around 10 years in which to marry and confidently have children. After this time the risks mount up and the energy levels decrease.

The differences between men and women

Men, on the other hand, have fewer body clock limitations. As they get older they may not have the same energy as they did when they were younger but with exercise the inevitable aging process can be long delayed. The difference in the ageing process between men and women has implications for a single Christian’s approach to dating.

It must be considered that, should a single Christian women choose to date a much older man she must be aware that his energy levels and outlook on life will change before those of her own. For instance, a single Christian woman in her early twenties may still enjoy clubbing or going to parties and staying out late whereas her partner who is in his mid-thirties may not be so keen on these things.

Age and child rearing

When it comes to having children it is perfectly natural to give birth during the late teens and early twenties (the body is designed to cope much better at these ages) and the teenage years of those children then come when the parents are in their thirties or early forties. For someone to leave having children until their mid-thirties or later means that they will be coping with the stresses of teenage parenting in their 50s or 60s. This is a much less attractive thought.

Make sensible dating choices

It may be an attractive thought for a single Christian man to be dating a much younger woman but the realities we have outlined above must be considered. They may find them interesting and mature now but when they are sixty and they’re partner is forty two it won’t be so fun.

If you are considering dating someone much older or younger do take these matters into consideration.