Age-gap relationships are increasingly common. Dating someone in their 40s when you’re in your 20s is no longer frowned upon, and it may turn into one of the most successful relationships you ever had.
Choosing to date someone older may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. It actually has many benefits as opposed to dating someone your age or younger.
If you like someone older, keep reading: Here are eight reasons why it may actually be a great idea!
1 An older partner is often more experienced
An older partner knows what he or she wants in bed and often feel sexier in their own skin. They’ve likely already had multiple sexual experiences, so they know what gets them off and what doesn’t. In addition, they know what gets members of the opposite sex off. This means that your chances of getting bad sex are lower!
People in their 40s or older may be more sexually adventurous and open to trying new things, like sex toys, watching porn together, threesomes, and even swinging. Sex turns into new learning experiences. Making love is a very important part of any relationship, and you should never underestimate it. With an older partner, you’ll be sure that good sex will always be a priority.
2 They have the emotional maturity
Wondering why so many young couples split after a few months together? They have no emotional maturity. When you’re in your 20s, it’s easy to underestimate the huge amount of work a committed relationship requires to stay healthy.
An older partner, instead, already knows how to make a relationship work. If they’re divorced, it’s likely that they don’t want to repeat the same mistakes they did with the previous partner. They will do everything in their power to build a relationship based on honesty, communication, and trust.
Speaking of trust, an older partner is also less likely to play immature mind games like being overly jealous, dropping vague hints, or picking fights.
3 They likely have an established career
If you choose to date someone older than you, it’s less likely that money will be an issue in your relationship. This benefit might be overlooked during the first stages of dating when you’re just out looking to meet single cougars and all you don’t really know each other well. However, it can become very important if your flirtation turns into a long-term relationship.
Young ladies have been dating older successful men for centuries and, despite the stigma, it’s not a bad thing. Your partner may provide financial security while you finish your studies or clear student debt. You can repay them with love, affection and romantic gestures to make your partner feel special.
Lastly, an older lover can help guide you through new and challenging experiences.
4 They won’t phub you
Smartphones are everywhere, and they’re useful for long-distance couples to keep their relationship strong. However, they can hurt intimacy for couples who live in the same city or — even worse — under the same roof.
If you’ve ever had a partner under 30, you’re probably very familiar with “phubbing” (i.e. when they constantly look at their phone instead of talking to you).
While this phenomenon may seem innocent, it can actually damage your relationship. Phubbing can make a partner feel unloved and trigger feelings of jealousy. Luckily, it won’t be an issue with an older lover, who’s less likely to be as smartphone-dependent as a younger person.
5 Difficulties will make your relationship stronger
Let’s admit it: If you’re dating someone much older than you, chances are that your friends and family won’t approve at first. But these difficulties can actually help your relationship to grow stronger.
You and your partner will soon learn that you will always be there for each other, no matter what other people think. This will help you to build trust, which is an essential ingredient for a lifelong romance.
In the future, you’ll be very proud of how much you fought for your relationship. Looking back at how much people were skeptical about your older partner, you’ll be glad you didn’t listen to them!
6 They are more likely to be ready for commitment
When you reach the age of 40 or more, you start to hear your biological clock ticking. That’s especially true for women, who may experience difficulties conceiving after 35. However, according to YourFertility, men’s fertility can also start to decline after the age of 40.
In addition, a 40-something person may be more inclined to find a long-term relationship than a hookup. They have already had plenty of time to experiment with their sexuality in their 20s. Now, they probably want to find someone to settle down with and start a family.
7 More conscious of risks associated with unprotected sex
However, if you aren’t ready for a family yet, you won’t have to convince them to use pregnancy protection.
One huge dating mistake many young folks do is not practicing safe sex. When you’re in your 20s, maybe a little intoxicated after a cocktail or two with your partner, it’s easy to forget the condom and put yourself at risk of STIs and unwanted pregnancy. According to the American Sexual Health Association, half of all STIs occur in youngsters aged 15-24.
An older partner, instead, is likely more conscious of the risks associated with unprotected sex.
8 You won’t have to decipher text abbreviations
Most young couples rely on texting to communicate with each other during the day, and they use plenty of text abbreviations. That’s not necessarily a good thing, as these abbreviations can lead to misunderstandings and, therefore, unnecessary arguments.
In addition, a study found out that texting back and forth too much isn’t healthy for a relationship. In particular, the researchers discovered that women who used texts to apologize or make decisions with their loved ones had a lower relationship quality.
With an older partner, you won’t have to worry about this issue because they’re less likely to rely heavily on text for daily communication. When they do, they’re less likely to use too many text abbreviations. Instead, they may prefer to call or message you using words that are unambiguous.
