Couples with age differences between their two members are becoming more common. However, if it is a woman who decides to have a younger partner or life partner, disapproval from society is still much higher than vice versa. And, on the other hand, little criticism arouses the numerous cases of men, especially among Hollywood, music or sports stars, who start relationships with women with whom they share age differences of even thirty or forty years.
And this social questioning, especially in the case of women, contrasts with the conclusions of Dr. Justin J. Lehmiller, a researcher at Indiana University: women who maintain a relationship with a younger man are happier.
Psychologist Justin J. Lehmiller conducted a survey of 200 heterosexual women who were in relationships. The participants were divided equally into three groups. The first, of those with male partners with an approximate age difference of 22 years greater in their case. Another part being these women on average 17 years younger than the men with whom they had said relationship. And a third in which both were close in age, around three years apart on average.
What the survey results revealed is that women who were roughly 10 years older than their male partners were the “most satisfied and committed to their relationships.” The explanation that the specialist proposes about this is that the relationship in these cases is more equitable and egalitarian. That is, the power dynamics change in these cases. So the woman takes a more dominant position and this leads to a balance in terms of equality. What causes these couples to be “happier”.
Despite the fact that this type of relationship suffers from greater resistance from society, the reality is that this does not prevent the development of relationships that are solid, stable and satisfactory for both members. The empowerment that women experience in this kind of couples is one of the key aspects for their success, as Justin J. Lehmiller says.
