We’ve all raised an eyebrow at a relationship with a significant age gap. Maybe you’ve seen headlines about a scandalous celebrity romance. Perhaps you’ve overheard someone get called “daddy” by a young companion and aren’t sure they’re actually a father.
Age gaps in relationships can be common, but when that age gap becomes significant, is there such a thing as too old or too young?
Whether they’re looking for maturity, youthful energy, or just a great connection, many are willing to explore relationships that cross generational lines.
A new study by DatingNews.com examines dating age gaps in greater depth to better understand generational trends, how society views these pairings, and the potential challenges and perks of dating someone older or younger.
52% of Americans Have Gone on Dates With a 5+ Year Age Gap
It’s not uncommon for couples to have significant age differences. More than half (52%) of Americans surveyed said they have been in relationships with a significant age difference of five years or more.
Among these, 59% dated someone older, and 41% dated someone younger. However, opinions are divided on whether a significant age gap matters in a relationship.
Overall, 59% of those surveyed think age differences matter in a relationship, with most millennials (ages 28-43) and Gen Zers (18-27) being more likely to see age as an important factor compared to baby boomers (60-78) and Gen X (44-59).
Age-gap relationships can sometimes be challenging, especially regarding societal and family approval. Nearly 1 in 5 people surveyed said they would keep their age-gap relationship a secret, and 19% think their friends or family would disapprove of a significant age difference.
Financial stability often plays a role in relationships with significant age gaps, with 76% agreeing it’s a factor. Most people polled (61%) believe the age gap can impact a relationship’s long-term success.
Majority of Americans Would Date Older or Younger
Most (93%) Americans surveyed are open to dating someone older. The generations have similar views when it comes to age gaps, with boomers and Gen Z preferring to date people up to seven years older, and millennials and Gen X willing to go up to eight years.
When it comes to the maximum age, there’s a clear generational trend. Boomers are willing to date anyone up to 67, while Gen Z is the most conservative, only dating someone up to 30.
One reason Americans may prefer to date older is that 73% believe older partners bring more maturity to a relationship. Surprisingly, almost 1 in 10 Americans surveyed would have no problem dating someone the same age as their children.
On the flip side, 88% would consider dating someone younger. Boomers are the most open to younger partners and comfortable with a 12-year age gap. This gradually decreases across generations, with Gen Z being the least open to age gaps on the younger end.
Similar to dating older, there’s a generational trend in minimum age preferences. Boomers are the most flexible, and are comfortable with dating someone as young as 48, while Gen Z is again the most conservative at dating no younger than 20. Most people (71%) believe younger partners offer more energy and are more adventurous.
Dating Preferences and Love Bombing
How does society generally view relationships with a significant age gap? Most Americans (73%) agree that society judges these relationships, and 86% believe there’s a point where an age gap becomes too large for a healthy relationship.
The trends differ when it comes to the overall preference of American generations to date someone older or younger. Boomer respondents slightly prefer to date younger (43%) over older (28%), while Gen Z has a strong preference for older partners (61%) compared to younger (16%). Millennials also lean toward dating older (46%), whereas Gen X slightly prefers dating younger (37%).
Another interesting aspect of these relationships is the issue of love bombing, where one person showers the other with excessive attention and affection as a form of manipulation. More than a third of Americans surveyed have experienced love bombing in a previous relationship, and of those who have, 67% didn’t recognize it as manipulation at the time. Of those who were love-bombed, almost half (49%) experienced it in relationships with a significant age gap.
Almost 3 in 5 Americans think love bombing is more common in these types of relationships where an age difference is present, and 80% believe the age gap can affect how the relationship plays out.
“People love to say that age is just a number, but that’s not exactly true in dating and relationships,” said Amber Brooks, Editor-in-Chief at DatingNews.com. “Age is a compatibility factor, it’s a relationship dealbreaker, and it could be a red flag if the age gap is big enough to cross generational lines.”
Methodology
In July 2024, we surveyed 1,006 Americans to understand their opinions and experiences with age gaps in dating. The age range of respondents was 18 to 78, with an average age of 43. Respondents identified as 51% female, 47% male, and 2% non-binary.
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