If you're over 50 and thinking of finding someone special, the prospect of dating can be daunting. However, it's never too late to find the love of your life. There are countless men and women who have found happiness with a new partner in middle age or even later. You could be one of them.
The “creepiness rule” states that the youngest you should date is “half your age plus seven.” The less commonly used corollary is that the oldest you should date is “subtract seven from your age and double it.” According to this rule, society should accept a 50 year old man dating a 32 year old woman.
Remember that there is no "right" age to fall in love. It can happen at any time, and at any age. It's a matter of whether you're ready and willing.
For those who'd like to put a number to things, usually, a gap of 1-7 years can be considered an acceptable age difference between adults. People whose ages are within 1-3 years typically do not see much of an age difference, while years 4-7 might begin to feel a little bit more pronounced.
"Half-your-age-plus-seven" rule
According to this rule, a 28-year-old would date no one younger than 21 (half of 28, plus 7) and a 50-year-old would date no one younger than 32 (half of 50, plus 7).
Researches have stated that married couples who have reached their late 40s or early 50s are likely to have sex once in 10 days. However, it is not the same for all couples as a very small percentage of them feel that sex is even better now that they have turned almost 50.
For example, being single at 50 provides the opportunity to focus on yourself, invest time in what makes you happy, and try new things. After all, even if you do end up looking for a partner, it's important to love yourself first.
A relationship age gap bigger than 10 years often comes with its own set of issues. “While there are always exceptions to rules, a good rule to remember is that dating someone more than 10 years older will present challenges now or later that add to the preexisting challenges any relationship has,” he says.
Fitzpatrick says that the general age gap usually accepted by society is about ten to twelve years, after which you'll probably start raising some eyebrows; "Once one partner is old enough to be the other's parent, people tend to frown."
“Even if the age gap is small, like 4 to 5 years, different levels of maturity can be observed,” says Brandy Porche, a licensed professional counselor with MindPath. “When there is a significant difference in age, like 10 to 15 years or more, life experiences can be vastly different.”
31 percent of couples have sex several times a week; 28 percent of couples have sex a couple of times a month; and 8 percent of couples have sex once a month. Sadly — or so we thought — 33 percent of respondents said they rarely or never have sex.
Keep your body language open, play with your hair, smile, touch his arm. And best flirt of all: compliment him! And bring your femininity to every date. It's the thing we have that men want most!
A lover who can communicate in bed.
“An older guy finds it sexy when a woman knows her own body and can communicate her needs without feeling shy or uncomfortable about how to make her body work and how he can give her pleasure,” says board certified sexologist and author of, Getting the Sex You Want, Dr.
Older Men Want Women To Be Themselves.
In a similar way that they want to be accepted as who they are, men also expect women to be themselves. They appreciate the spirit of compromise, but they want a partner who shows their true character.
As women get older, they look for a similar type of man they were looking for when they were in their 30's. But now, in their 50's, they put more emphasis on a more loving, more gentlemanly, someone with whom they can travel and enjoy life. We now want to experience everything life has to offer.
It's widely assumed that couples with big age differences will face bigger struggles and are, therefore, more likely to split. But research suggests not. Some studies have found the relationship satisfaction reported by age-gap couples is higher, with greater levels of trust and commitment and lower levels of jealousy.
Romantic couples with a large age gap often raise eyebrows. Studies have found partners with more than a ten-year gap in age experience social disapproval. But when it comes to our own relationships, both men and women prefer someone their own age, but are open to someone 10-15 years their junior or senior.
They say age is just a number, but is it really? While a 14 year age gap between a 43 and 57-year-old seems normal, the 14 years in between a 18-year-old and a 32-year-old is a bit concerning.
In Western countries, about 8% of male-female couples have an age gap of 10 years or more, rising to 25% in male-male unions and 15% of female-female relationships. And, in any case, experts note a perfect age difference does not exist.
What's considered a big age gap when you're dating? An age gap of 10 years or more is considered a big difference. When one person has a decade more life experience than their partner, the couple might be incompatible. You're likely to have different circles of friends, different interests, and different life goals.
So, it is perfectly fine. Some people might give strange looks if they know the age difference, but what they think doesn't matter. People are quick to judge large age differences, but keep in mind there are many older couples with 12 year gaps and people just see them as an old couple.
If you want to meet a new partner in your fifties, hang out with people around, and you may find new connections. You may also try online dating, which is pretty helpful in finding a potential partner. Also, get out and participate in group activities where you may meet new people and get along with them.
31% of all US adults including men and women 18+ are single. For men in the 50-64 age group, 27% are single. For men in the 65+ group, 21% are single. For women in the 50-64 age group, 29% are single.
"A major reason as to why dating is so much harder in your 50s is because you're much more set in your ways and values," says certified mental health consultant and relationship expert Claire Barber.