Q&A Home > M > Mate Selection

I am a 30 year old male and was recently introduced to someone who is 3 years older. Is the fact that she is older by 3 years a problem and if it should be cause enough to not get to know this person better?
 
We are just starting to get to know each other. I do not really feel like I know enough about her personality to judge if we are compatible or not. A lot of people in my family think it is a bad idea to get to know her since she is older than me. I personally felt that the decision should be based on something more important than age.

It is generally preferred that the age difference is in favor of the male. As an unbiased response, women mature earlier, age faster, and have more restrictions regarding their child-bearing years sooner. Having said that, a three-year difference on the side of the woman, in your case, might not seem as though it is much. However, if you are just becoming acquainted now, and if things progress in the direction of marriage, it will probably not be before she is at least 35 that you can actually get married. The window for having children becomes a little more narrow especially if you both do not want to have children immediately. In addition, when she is 35 and you are 32, you may become attracted to more appealing younger women. At any rate, the decision to pursue the relationship at hand is not implausible for achieving a successful marriage, but it certainly requires extensive serious thought and prayer.