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People who marry someone similar in age statistically have a better chance of a lasting union. Studies have shown that the larger the age gap, the more likely the marriage will end in divorce. When the age gap between partners reaches 20 years, the chance of a divorce is 95 percent higher than similarly-aged couples. But why?
There are several reasons these marriages are set up to fail. Some are controllable, and some aren’t. When it comes to the “May-December marriage,” here are reasons they aren’t likely to last.
1. Differences in Generations
Imagine being born when the Internet was something no one had heard of. Now imagine being born when the Internet was in full swing. You listened to the Beatles on vinyl records, and your spouse grew up with Britney Spears CDs. While it may be interesting to have these differences at first, the incompatibility will often cease to be interesting and become frustrating.
2. Your Genes
People age. There is nothing that can be done about it. If you marry a person 20 years your senior, it may be okay when you are 30 and 50. Things start to wane when you hit 40 and 60. And things often really start to go downhill when you hit 50 and 70. Many people who marry people two or more decades older than themselves find that, over time, they grow less attracted to their spouse.
3. Parental Issues
It can be difficult to live with a person 20 years your junior without trying to parent them. In some cases, certainly not all, an older husband represents a sort of father figure. Someone with 20 years’ more experience will naturally try to share that experience with their younger spouse which can lead to confrontation down the road.
4. Sexual Relations
Men and women hit a sexual peak at different times in their lives. A woman in her mid-30s married to a man in his mid-50s may find that their spouse isn’t as interested in sex as they are. When the ages are reversed, issues like menopause may hinder sexual desires. There are other differences in sexual need and desire that occur as we age, often making these relationships fail in the long term.
5. Lifestyle
Having different lifestyles may seem exciting in the beginning of a relationship. But having different lifestyles in a marriage can be taxing. Maybe one spouse wants to go to the bar every night, and the other prefers to stay home. Maybe one prefers to participate in active sports, and the other is unable. Marriages that last are those in which partners share similar tastes in activity.
If you are considering filing a for divorce in Orlando, whether due to age differences or other reasons, our attorneys are here for you. Reach out to our office today to schedule your case evaluation. We are here to ensure that you receive a settlement that is fair and equitable. Your first consultation will be held at no cost to you.
