Issues of control and crushes on mommy figures or daddy figures are going to enter into the age equation. Obviously, all other things being equal, similarity of ages probably makes the most sense, but all other things are never equal. People are as individual as snowflakes and likely to be just as flaky when it comes to matters of the heart. Be aware of the advantages and disadvantages, the potential fun stuff and pitfalls of major differences in birth years. If one of you is ten or more years older, you’re talking half a generation here, but at 80 who cares? At 18, everyone will.

Fortunately – or maybe unfortunately – we don’t fall in love with birth certificates but with flesh and blood individuals. If you’re looking to date someone who is significantly older or younger than you are, ask yourself why and does it make any long-term sense. Are you looking to shock or advertise, brag or control? as long as you know what you’re doing, you’ll get no argument from me, but make sure you’ve taken your own emotional pulse here; I don’t care how old you are