Age disparity in sexual relationships
Age disparity in sexual relationships and sexual relationships between individuals of a significant difference in age have been documented for most of recorded history and have been regarded with a wide range of attitudes, from normalized acceptance to taboo. Concepts of these relationships and of the exact definition of a "significant" age disparity have developed over time and vary between societies, [ 1 ] legal systems (particularly with regards to the age of consent ), [ 2 ] and ethical systems. These views are rarely uniform even within cultures and are affected by views of consent. marriage. and gender roles. and by perceptions of social and economic differences between age groups.
Statistics [ edit ]
Relationships with age disparity of all kinds have been observed with both men and women as the older or younger partner. In various cultures, older men and younger women often seek one another for sexual or marital relationships. [ 5 ] Older women sometimes date younger men as well, [ 6 ] and in both cases wealth and physical attractiveness are often relevant.
Most men marry women younger than they are; with the difference being between two to three years in Spain, [ 3 ] with the UK reporting the difference to be on average about three years, and the US, two and a half. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] The pattern was also confirmed for the rest of the world, with the gap being largest in Africa. [ 9 ] A study released in 2003 by the United Kingdom 's Office for National Statistics concluded that the proportion of women in England and Wales marrying younger men rose from 15% to 26% between 1963 and 1998. The study also showed a higher divorce rate as the age difference rose when the woman was older and a lower divorce rate as the age difference rose when the man was older. [ 10 ] A 2008 study, however, concluded that the difference is not significant. [ 11 ] [ 12 ]
In August 2010, Michael Dunn of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff completed and released the results of a study on age disparity in dating. Dunn concluded that "Not once across all ages and countries. did females show a preference for males significantly younger than male preferences for females" and that there was a "consistent cross-cultural preference by women for at least same-age or significantly older men." A 2003 AARP study reported that 34% of women over 39 years old were dating younger men. [ 13 ]
A 2011 study suggested that age disparity in marriage is positively correlated with decreased longevity, particularly for women, though married individuals still have longer lifespans than singles. [ 14 ]
Reasons for age disparity [ edit ]
Explanations for age disparity usually focus on either the rational choice model or the analysis of demographic trends in a society. [ 3 ] The rational choice model suggests that people look for partners who can provide for them in their life (bread-winners); as males traditionally earn more as they get older, females will therefore prefer older men. [ 3 ] This factor is diminishing as more women enter the labor force and the gender pay gap decreases. [ 3 ] The demographic trends are concerned with the gender ratio in the society, the marriage squeeze. and migration patterns. [ 3 ] Another explanation concerns cultural values: the higher the value placed in having children, the higher the age gap will be. [ 9 ]
As people have chosen to marry later, the age differences between couples have increased as well. In other words, age differences are greater for couples who marry at a later age. [ 3 ] [ 11 ]
In a Brown University study, it has been noted that the social structure of a country determines the age difference between spouses more than any other factor. [ 1 ] One of the concerns of relationships with age disparities in some cultures is a perceived difference between people of different age ranges. These differences may be sexual, financial or social in nature. Gender roles may complicate this even further. Socially, a society with a difference in wealth distribution between older and younger people may affect the dynamics of the relationship. [ 15 ]
Modern culture [ edit ]
The "half-your-age-plus-seven" rule [ edit ]
The "never date anyone under half your age plus seven" rule is a rule of thumb sometimes used to judge whether the age differences in their potential intimate relationships are socially acceptable within a Western-oriented culture. [ 16 ] [ 17 ]
Health risks [ edit ]
In some contexts, health risks are associated with age-disparate sexual relationships. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, young women in sexual relationships with older men may be at a high risk for contracting HIV. Power differentials between older men and younger women make it challenging for females to insist on condom use. [ 23 ]
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Ideal Age Gap For Couples Revealed
Gena Kaufman | Glamour
Despite the unfortunate rise of the cougar phenomenon (not that dating younger men is unfortunate, just the use of the term cougar), it seems as a society, we’re still more into May-December relations when the guy is the December. Or is it the May? I'm not sure I actually know what that expression is supposed to mean.
But what I’m trying to say is, more people still think that a romantic relationship is ideal when it’s between an older man and a younger woman. Specifically, four years and four months older, which was the average “ideal” age gap as reported by a survey of 2,000 adults. While slightly less than half of people said there was no ideal age gap (good call, sensible people), 33% of women wanted a guy up to seven years older than them, while only one out of a hundred women preferred a younger man.
Not that I have anything against dating older guys, but here’s some afternoon uggghhh: Financial stability was one of the biggest reasons women cited for preferring older dudes, since 55% of women said they couldn’t afford rent or mortgages on their own. Thanks, wage gap !
Most of the guys I’ve dated have been my age to just a couple of years older, but sadly for poor old me (literally), none of them have provided any financial stability so I don’t think I’d call that a motivation. I will say that while I don’t have a rule against dating younger guys, I probably wouldn’t consider it my ideal dating situation either. Stupid society and its conditioning that men look handsome and distinguished as they age while women don't. I do like a silver fox though.
Do you have an “ideal” age difference? What is it? Is there anybody out there that prefers younger guys?
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Retirement Planner: Benefits By Year Of Birth
Full retirement age is the age at which a person may first become entitled to full or unreduced retirement benefits.
No matter what your full retirement age (also called "normal retirement age") is, you may start receiving benefits as early as age 62 or as late as age 70.
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You can retire at any time between age 62 and full retirement age. However, if you start benefits early, your benefits are reduced a fraction of a percent for each month before your full retirement age.
The chart below lists age 62 reduction amounts and includes examples based on an estimated monthly benefit of $1000 at full retirement age. Click on your year of birth to find out how much your benefit will be reduced if you retire between age 62 and full retirement age.
Note: If your birthday is on January 1st, we figure your benefit as if your birthday was in the previous year.
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