by Michele Mccullough

Created on: December 28, 2009

Age in a relationship is a matter of extreme importance. Often people say that age doesn't matter, but I beg to differ. Living your life day to day with the same person requires large amounts of patience, perseverance, and forgiveness on the part of both parties. These are usually learned qualities that one grows into through trial and error throughout the years of living life.

Every persons life happens in age cycles. When you are in your twenties, life is still so new and you still have so much to experience. Your parents are still not very smart, but you are, so you think. And then the thirties roll in and suddenly, your parents were a little bit smart. By the forties, your parents have gotten extremely smart and not only that, you even begin to think like them! By the time you reach fifties and beyond, you are them, with a twist, that is. Not exact replicas but surely, with many of the same traits.

Now try taking this age process and mixing that into a relationship where one is ten years younger or older, or possibly even more than that. No doubt there will be mountains to climb. The younger partner especially, will have the hardest time with this situation. A lack of experience in life will keep them from understanding the points of view of the older partner. It is so important to see eye to eye on the majority of issues in a relationship and almost impossible to do so when a lack of experience prevents you from understanding.

Often what happens then is the younger person will become the follower and the older person, the leader. As age and time creep on, the younger person may begin to resent the fact that they are basically being treated like a child in many ways. When they begin to get to the ages of understanding ,If the older partner is mature enough to understand that and work with them, peace is held. However, it is easier said than done to ease into new ways of thinking after habits have been built over years.

This is not to say that being different ages can't work out. Some people are very easygoing and can roll along with many differences quite easily. The couple may have a lot of similar traits and think alike on so many issues, that they can easily overcome the few problems that will arise over the age difference. More commonly though, it is a hard road to travel for most people and a decision that should require a lot of thought and research before delving into.

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