This video answers the question: Can large age difference relationships succeed? These relationships, sometimes called May-December Romances, are somewhat uncommon (8% of heterosexual couples) and come with certain challenges not experienced by couples with small age differences. Large age difference relationships are typically defined as a relationship where there's 10 or more years separating the couple. A lot of times we think of this as applying to a man who's older than a woman, but doesn't have to be that way. We know from the literature that these relationships have a higher probability of failure and they have lower level of satisfaction associated with them. Of course, this isn't the case with every relationship where there's an age difference of 10 years or more, but this is what we see as a tendency in the literature. Although the challenges can be significant, counseling may help couples in this situation to navigate these relationships. Many May-December relationships are successful, but it often requires facing some of the challenges associated with the age difference honestly and directly.
