SelfhelpMagazine

by Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D.

Every relationship is challenged by difference, whether that difference is gender, religion, race, ethnicity or age. Are there differences due to age that challenge a relationship? Of course there are but that doesn't necessarily mean that a relationship shouldn't be pursued. What matters is to understand those differences and to turn them into strengths.

What might some of the challenging differences be? There is a difference due to experiences. Your mate grew up in a different set of cultural influences, in his case most likely the sixties and the time of the Viet Nam war. These cultural events had impact on one's world view. So when your mate talks about the impact of assassinations, for example, you may not be able to relate to the power those events had on persons who were growing up at that time.

There may also be differences in goals. Your goals may have more to do with achieving while his priorities may be different. Decisions about having children may also be influenced by the age difference.

But the bottom line is this. There is nothing specific to age difference which suggests that a relationship with an older person is a bad idea. Relationships of every sort stand or fall depending upon how difference is dealt with.

About the Author:

Richard B. Patterson, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist in private practice in El Paso, TX. He is the author of three books on psychology and spirituality.