The social construct of Age gap in marriage

Hello everyone. I trust you're having a nice weekend.

The topic about the age gap in marriage is something that appears controversial because different people have different opinions about it.

I like to share my opinion on such a thing based on my experiences.

Okay, what if I told you that my last relationship was actually picked up through a discussion about age gaps? Sounds funny, right? Anyways, let's skip the relationship status and focus on the meaning of what I’m about to narrate.

So yeah, we were seated, chit-chatting, and one thing led to another. She brought up the topic of how one of our well-known pastors married a wife who was older than him by a reasonable number of years. She was of the opinion that the age gap isn't a big deal when love is involved, but that doesn't mean an elderly man should go and marry a girl of 15 years. She was emphasizing that it's not a problem for a man to marry a lady who is older than him by a good number of years.

My scratchy mouth got curious about the way she was hammering on the topic, and I initiated a relationship idea because I felt she was a bit more mature (older) and probably older than me. And, honestly, I wanted to be babied because I had suffered a lot in the hands of love. She agreed, we got into the relationship, and later, I found out that she's way younger than me! That was when I understood the reason she brought up the issue in the first place — it's obvious that guys had turned her down before because her age was far below the 'strong zone' for a reasonable relationship.

Okay, enough of the narration.

As for me, I am of the opinion that there’s usually no problem with age gaps in marriage as long as neither person involved is underage.

Oh yeah, I have seen situations where a matured girl of 18, 19, or 20 years got married to a man of 50 years, and they’re living well without any issue of concern.

Most times, there are no problems — not even spiritual problems — attached to these things. It’s just the social construct that has eaten deeply into what is not supposed to be an issue in the first place.

As I am currently, if I see a lady that I’m older than by 5 years, or someone who is my exact age mate, or even someone older than me by 5 or 6 years (sorry, I can’t go beyond this), and we love each other, we have the same cravings, manners, and physical attraction, I won’t hesitate to go into the marriage.

Okay, I know you want to bring up the point where I said I won’t allow the lady to be more than 6 years older than me. Oh yeah, there’s a little natural difference between the body of a man and that of a woman. I’m not discriminating, but a woman’s physical appearance tends to loosen up faster than that of a man. Am I making sense?

Okay, the summary is that if the two people involved love themselves — whether the lady is older by a wide age gap or the guy is older by a wide age gap — and they’re okay with the marriage, then there’s no issue.

It’s not the age gap that guarantees a lasting and peaceful marriage; it’s love, respect, and understanding.

Thanks for reading.

This is my entry to Week 98, Edition 03 of the Weekly Featured contest in Hive Learners Community

Photo used is mine