Are Age Gaps the New Thing?

Age-gap relationships have always been a taboo and touchy subject with some people. Even a difference of eight, nine, or ten years can result in shameful looks and unsolicited comments. But is that all starting to change? 

While not a new concept, the age-gap relationship has slowly yet steadily made its appearance in pop culture media. Several movies this year are centered around age-gap relationships, like Lonely Planet (2024), starring Liam Hemsworth and Laura Dern. Laura Dern plays Katherine, a middle-aged author who is newly single and on a writer's retreat in Morocco. Liam Hemsworth plays Owen, a young finance manager who is there with his girlfriend. At first, Katherine tries to deny and push aside her feelings but eventually comes to terms with the fact she loves a younger guy. Babygirl, an A24 film set to release on Christmas Day (Dec. 25), 2024, is less wholesome yet still centered on an age-gap relationship between a powerful CEO, played by Nicole Kidman, and a young intern, played by Harris Dickenson. Another upcoming A24 film, Queer, is set in 1950s Mexico City and tells the story of William Lee, played by Daniel Craig, an older man who becomes infatuated with a young man, played by Drew Starkey, recently discharged from the American Navy. 

While age-gap relationships are certainly not a new thing, they have widely been frowned upon and seen as predacious. Their appearance in recent media might just hint at a change in perception of the age gap couple. If two people are happy together, does it really matter? 

It also seems that everyone has their own idea of what is an “acceptable” age gap. Some say age is just a number, some say two years, and others are 15 years max. It really all just depends on what you like. 

But what if age gaps between men and women could make more sense in a relationship? 

It’s long been known that women mature faster than men, but it’s usually thought about in terms of physicality. What if I told you women mentally mature at an earlier age as well? 

Women’s brains mature faster than boys, and they optimize brain connections earlier than boys, according to a study by Newcastle University. 

As we age, our brains begin to “reorganize” in order to streamline information for retention and efficiency. It was originally hypothesized that the brain deteriorates over time, but in fact, the connections that are formed between different brain regions, brain hemispheres, and processing modules begin to selectively lose fibers and “re-network.” Long-distance connections, or long-range connectivity, like one that would connect the left side of the brain to the right side of the brain, for example, are crucial for complex functions like higher-order thinking and information integration. Essentially, girls optimize brain connections earlier than boys. 

So all that time you thought you were smarter, more efficient, and quicker than all the boys in your class; maybe you just needed to look a few years to the future to find a man running at your own pace. It’ll take the rest a few years to catch up.

Or if you’re looking for a mature woman, you could probably start out at the same age, but much like wine, the study shows the brain improves with time. Maybe that older woman could teach you a few things about life and love. 

Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. If you like to date older, that isn’t something you should be ashamed of. If you’ve always wanted to dip your toe into the dating-older pool, there are legitimate reasons why you can't stand to date people your own age. Don't let judgments from others pass as reasons to hold back from what you want. Age difference can make much more sense for people in certain relationships if they want to feel like they're on the same level intellectually. 

As with any new date or relationship, Strike always urges you to be cautious and trust your gut. If you really think you and your older co-worker would have a great time - go for it! If you find yourself attracted to someone younger (over the age of 18, of course), don’t be scared to ask them out. You’d be surprised at how many people would reciprocate the feeling if there wasn't such a public stigma about it. 

Strike out, 

Haley Dockendorff 

Boca Raton

Haley Dockendorff is a Content Writer for Strike Magazine Boca. Loud and proud, this Virgo loves writing just about anything that will cause a bit of commotion. If you can’t find her, she’s probably somewhere on a beach with a camera in hand. You can reach her at haleydockendorff143@gmail.com