Is there an ideal age gap for marriage? Apparently yes, according to study
Could your age gap actually determine if your marriage can last? Apparently, yes.
Two years, ten years, or the same age: does age gap actually matter in a relationship?
As it turns out, according to new research by Emory University, it does.
The study, which studied 3000 couples, has discovered that there is indeed a correlation between a couple’s age gap and their likelihood of divorce. Apparently, the researchers found that the larger the age gap, the higher the chance of divorce.
Get this: Couples with a one-year age difference in relationships have a 3% chance of divorcing, which increases to an 18% likelihood for those with a five-year age gap.
This positive relationship between the age gap and chances of divorce continues to hold true as the age gap increases; couples with a ten-year gap have a 39% chance of splitting, which escalates to a staggering 95% for a twenty-year age gap. (Yikes.)
In short, if you want your marriage to succeed, choose a partner as close to your age (if not the same) for a union that will last.
So, What Is The Ideal Age Gap?
According to the study, the ideal age gap to set yourself up for a lasting marriage was one year.
In some ways, you can make sense of – if not predict – the study’s findings. Extreme age gaps, in particular, can imply stark differences in upbringing, cultural understanding, mutual interests, and also maturity level.
Now, if you and your partner are more than a year apart, don’t be alarmed – there’s a caveat to the rule. Statistics also reveal that couples who pass the two-year anniversary mark are 43% less likely to split up, irrespective of the age gap.
It’s wise to note that while they’re often interesting and sometimes telling, studies of these nature only seek to identify relationship patterns, not foretell what happens in your little love bubble. After all, there are same-age celebrity couples who have since separated, and pairs with large gaps that still continue to a be healthy, happy union.
On a personal note, what do you think? Do you think there are actual merits to being close in age to your partner – or is age nothing but a number?
Sarah Khan
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