Marriages with an 18+-year age disparity - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James28 · 07-28-2010, 07:38 PM

This is a controversial and intimidating topic which several SitcomsOnline members would EVER approve of.

This thread is about May-December marriages, or, in this definition, marriages with an 18+-year age disparity. Why do people even get into a May-December romance/marriage? First, they want to have more children than they do now. I don't think having a child after the age of 50 is a good idea. If one person with adult children wants to have another child,especially with a spouse that is about the same age as the adult children, he might want to reconsider that idea because he would make the adult children feel insecure. Other reasons include:

Quote:

Reasons for seeking a much younger or older individual with whom to relate intimately can vary wildly. A common perception is that younger mates serve the purpose of a "trophy" or object of status, while older mates are perceived to have greater resources, wisdom, and/or sexual knowledge.

Culture may also play a part. Cultures requiring a bride price or dowry may increase the age of the potential groom relative to his wife. Cultures and countries requiring compulsory service of one sex but not the other – military, religious, etc. – may additionally increase the difference in ages. Some religious requirements with prescriptive rules about marrying widows may produce female-older-than-male marriages.

Societies where divorce is allowed may have increased age disparity between partners as a reassortment of partners occurs following divorces. Access to support from previous marriage(s) in the form of alimony or other legal supports can allow women in cultures to select mates based on non-economic or parental support requirements promoting an older woman-younger man motif.
(From Wikipedia.)

The biggest age disparity between a May-December couple is a 105-years-old man and a 23-years-old-woman. Disparity: 83 years (I always thought it was 89-years-old James Howard Marshall II and 26-years-old Vickie Lynn Marshall). Here is a webpage listing marriages with age disparity:http://sites.google.com/site/richard...nrelationships

The May December scale:
0-18 years: Good
18-23 years: Moderate
23-30 years: Bad
30 years or over: Completely intolerable
The higher the age disparity, the more intolerable the marriage gets.

catlover79 · 07-28-2010, 08:17 PM

As long as both individuals are of age, mature, and love each other - I'm all for it. Like, a 30-year-old w/ a 50-year-old wouldn't bother me, or a 40/60, and so on.

James28 · 07-28-2010, 08:25 PM

^^I meant age disparities that are far above that line, like, 30+, 40+. I forgot to add a plus sign after 18-to-23, can I call an administrator and have him lock this thread so I can start over?

ZeldaGilroy · 07-28-2010, 08:34 PM

While I am typically not attracted to men much older than me, I have no problem with others having this sort of relationship. My sister is 29 and her husband is 50. They have a strong marriage, but even if they didn't it really isn't my business.

I see in your signature that you think May-December marriages should be illegal. What is your reasoning for this other than the fact that you personally don't agree with it? I'm just curious.

Mr. Television · 07-28-2010, 08:35 PM

Yea if I see a 103 year old with a 23 year old I might say...wow. But even that, as long as they are both of age, it's none of my business and it shouldn't be illegal..

James28 · 07-28-2010, 08:43 PM

^^Okay, there is a flaw with the poll question: It says: Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year age disparity? The poll is supposed to say Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year or much higher age disparity? I'm talking about age disparities beyond 23 years. Either the poll question gets edited, or this thread can be closed or deleted and moved to the archives and I can start all over again.

JamesG · 07-28-2010, 09:00 PM

I say.. "Whatever".. let it be; who am I to say what people do (as long as everyone consents legally and is of age).

I speak as someone who is generally attracted to older people. My couple of serious relationships were older than I.

My last one I was 22 and she was 36. We're not together anymore.

Mr. Television · 07-28-2010, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

^^Okay, there is a flaw with the poll question: It says: Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year age disparity? The poll is supposed to say Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year or much higher age disparity? I'm talking about age disparities beyond 23 years. Either the poll question gets edited, or this thread can be closed or deleted and moved to the archives and I can start all over again.

Even with that, I'm in favor of it. They aren't hurting anybody and as long as they love each other, I wish them the best.

James28 · 07-28-2010, 09:15 PM

^^You know that Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz have a 35-year age disparity, right? They even had one child together and Dina Ruiz is a year younger than Clint's oldest daughter.

This thread should have been exclusively for the bad/intolerable marriages and all I have seen so far is moderate.

Retro4Life · 07-28-2010, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

As long as both individuals are of age, mature, and love each other - I'm all for it. Like, a 30-year-old w/ a 50-year-old wouldn't bother me, or a 40/60, and so on.

I'm with you, Monika. You can't put a limit of the ages of the people in a relationship. Certainly a great age disparity brings with it unique challenges, but so does EVERY relationship, really. Who are any of us to judge?

Mr. Television · 07-28-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

^^You know that Clint eastwood and Dina Ruiz have a 35-year age disparity, right? They even had one child together and Dina Ruiz is a year younger than Clint's oldest daughter.

Yes I do know and it doesn't make me like Clint any less. He loves his children. I don't doubt that at all. He seems very happy with Dina too. I hope they have a happy life together.

Mr. Television · 07-28-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I'm with you, Monika. You can't put a limit of the ages of the people in a relationship. Certainly a great age disparity brings with it unique challenges, but so does EVERY relationship, really. Who are any of us to judge?

Exactly. I'm not saying there aren't challenges. Of course it's probably easier if you marry someone closer to your own age. You have a lot in common. You come from the same generation. But if you love someone, then people can overcome it. I'm not condemning people for falling in love.

ZeldaGilroy · 07-28-2010, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

This thread should have been exclusively for the bad/intolerable marriages and all I have seen so far is moderate.

There are bad marriages where both parties are the same age.

While I would question why someone would want to marry someone 50 years older than them, it is really none of my business. I didn't vote in your poll because I am not for or against May-December romances. I think individuals have the right to decide for themselves who they love and want to marry.

James28 · 07-28-2010, 09:38 PM

^^I meant moderate/bad/intolerable age disparities. You say that it was none of your business, that is giving me a headache (not a legitimate one).

ZeldaGilroy · 07-28-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim856796

^^I meant moderate/bad/intolerable age disparities. You say that it was none of your business, that is giving me a headache (not a legitimate one).

Well you are determining what constitutes moderate/bad/intolerable when it comes to age disparencies. Maybe someone else thinks 50 years is moderate? I personally don't think any age difference is intolerable as long as both parties are of age and of sound mind. They can make their own decisions. Sorry I am giving you a headache.

View Poll Results: Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year age disparity?
Yes	23	79.31%
No	6	20.69%
Voters: 29. You may not vote on this poll

07-28-2010, 08:17 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	As long as both individuals are of age, mature, and love each other - I'm all for it. Like, a 30-year-old w/ a 50-year-old wouldn't bother me, or a 40/60, and so on.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-28-2010, 08:34 PM	#4
ZeldaGilroy Dobie and Zelda Forever!!! Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 14, 2000 Location: I don't know...I'm probably lost! Posts: 4,144	While I am typically not attracted to men much older than me, I have no problem with others having this sort of relationship. My sister is 29 and her husband is 50. They have a strong marriage, but even if they didn't it really isn't my business. I see in your signature that you think May-December marriages should be illegal. What is your reasoning for this other than the fact that you personally don't agree with it? I'm just curious.
	__________________ *Formerly FactsFan* "I always carry a spare wedding ring. A single girl never knows when lightning may strike." ~Zelda Gilroy

07-28-2010, 08:35 PM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Yea if I see a 103 year old with a 23 year old I might say...wow. But even that, as long as they are both of age, it's none of my business and it shouldn't be illegal..
	__________________ Sonny

07-28-2010, 08:43 PM	#6
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,994	^^Okay, there is a flaw with the poll question: It says: Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year age disparity? The poll is supposed to say Are you in favour of relationships or marriages with an 18-to-23 year or much higher age disparity? I'm talking about age disparities beyond 23 years. Either the poll question gets edited, or this thread can be closed or deleted and moved to the archives and I can start all over again.
	Last edited by James28; 07-28-2010 at 08:59 PM.

07-28-2010, 08:25 PM	#3
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,994	^^I meant age disparities that are far above that line, like, 30+, 40+. I forgot to add a plus sign after 18-to-23, can I call an administrator and have him lock this thread so I can start over?

07-28-2010, 09:00 PM	#7
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,225	I say.. "Whatever".. let it be; who am I to say what people do (as long as everyone consents legally and is of age). I speak as someone who is generally attracted to older people. My couple of serious relationships were older than I. My last one I was 22 and she was 36. We're not together anymore.

07-28-2010, 09:15 PM	#9
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,994	^^You know that Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz have a 35-year age disparity, right? They even had one child together and Dina Ruiz is a year younger than Clint's oldest daughter. This thread should have been exclusively for the bad/intolerable marriages and all I have seen so far is moderate.

07-28-2010, 09:38 PM	#14
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,994	^^I meant moderate/bad/intolerable age disparities. You say that it was none of your business, that is giving me a headache (not a legitimate one).