A study out of Emory University finds that couples where both spouses are the same age have the greatest likelihood of an enduring marriage.
A disparity of just three years can noticeably tip the scales against a lasting marriage.
A spread of ten years? That catapults the odds of divorce by a whopping thirty-nine (39%) percent.
A therapist attributes this statistic to consequential differences in communications styles, frames of reference and life experiences.
She recommends the following steps before taking the plunge:
- Listen to your gut to know whether the age gap will be a problem. Ignoring it won’t make it go away.
- Consider whether you are tough enough and committed enough to risk other relationships and put up with gossip behind your backs.
- Make sure you’re not going to blame every disagreement on the age skew.
- Try to build a social circle of support with other couples with similar age differences.
Read more in this My Fox Houston KRIV FOX 26 piece: Four ways to minimize divorce risk when spouse vary greatly in age