Dating someone significantly older than yourself can be fun, but when the relationship begins to get serious there are things to consider. Yes, they may be able to satisfy you emotionally and physically, they may be incredibly handsome and financially secure. But how long will they be around? Can you depend on them long term and can you look past the wrinkles?
Pro: Willingness to Settle Down
An older man or woman will more likely be ready for marriage or children. Depending on their age, most individuals want a career, a spouse, and children. Being with someone older than yourself could hugely benefit you in this way. People in your own dating pool most likely aren't ready to settle down and put their careers on the back burner.
Pro: Financially Secure
An older man or woman more likely than not has had time to save up. They most likely have a 401K and stocks. They can support you financially and take away some of the burden of being young and broke. Although it is also important to note that you should not date someone just because they can offer you financial stability.
Pro: Sexually Accommodating
Depending on the person, an older man or woman has most likely had plenty of experience in the bedroom. This can be appealing, especially because the individuals in your own dating pool are most likely as inexperienced as you are. Be careful though, dating someone just because they are older and you assume this means they are good in bed could end it disaster... there are still forty year old virgins out there.
Pro: Emotionally Stimulating
As they have most likely been in several relationships before you were even born, they will know how to take care of you. They have had life experience and will most likely know that you need constant reassurance or that sometimes it is more important to listen than to speak. It is possible that they are able to understand who you are as a person more than anyone else.
Con: Unescapable Aging
It is so amazing to find someone that you click with naturally, especially if they intellectually and physically stimulating. If you are dating someone significantly older than yourself it is important to realize that there is an expiration date on your relationship. Yes, you could be with this person for forty years but are you too shallow to look past the wrinkles?
Con: Generational Differences
As there is most likely a large age gap between yourself and your significant other, you are most likely from different generations. This means you probably have different viewpoints, different outlooks on life and different work ethics. There is also a chance you will not enjoy watching the same movies and tv shows. There is an even greater chance that you will hate eachothers music. if you can't chill together, why be together?
Con: The Disapprovement
More likely than not, no one is going to understand your relationship. Sure, they can meet the parents and your friends but no one is actually going to tell you to your face that you shouldn't be dating someone this old. And when you go out in public, there will be so many looks. Some will be of annoyance or disapproval, most likely from women or men your partner's age. Others will be looks of envy and sometimes even approval. Just be prepared for the looks.
Con: The Baggage
The possibility of emotional baggage in any relationship is always there. When you are dating someone significantly older than yourself, the risk of having baggage is much much greater. There maybe have been crazy ex's, drunken stupors and endless one night stands. Can you look past all of the bad they have been through and just focus on who they are now?
