Running head: Argumentative Essay 1

Does Age Matter in Relationship?

Ishpreet Singh (1813260)

University Canada West

Professor: Carel Schoch

ENGL 080 Academic Writing Fundamentals

12th Dec 2018

Argumentative Essay 2

Abstract

In this case, we will discuss reasons as of why age should not be a big of a deal in relationships.

We can use the phrase “Age is just but a number.”

Research also shows that the age gap affects at different stages of our lives. For Example age gap

of 17 and 30 maybe be more problematic as compared to an age gap of 30 and 50. Reasons are

because, the latter one, they have already developed fully and adopted defined beliefs in life

which are likely not to change but rather improve on them. Unlike the 17 and 30 age gap, one is

still developing and learning a new skill, acquiring new beliefs which are likely to keep change

with time.
Argumentative Essay 3

Does Age Matter in Relationship?

Human beings are social beings, we often feel the need and urge to associate with other

humans at a more profound and intimate level. That is the main reason we have defined

relationships, and each type comes with a different set of rules. Unlike the blood relations that

the universe gets to choose for us, the other kind of relationships, we get to handpick based on

our social, cultural and spiritual beliefs, school of thought, society norms and others. People

create relationships for different reasons, and purpose says business, friends and even marriage.

Relationships leading to marriage have proven to be a hard nut to crack. Primarily

because the criteria used keeps on changing. The one factor that has raised much debate is the

age disparity. Questions asked are “What is the most appropriate age to get married at?” and

“What is the ideal age gap for a relationship to work?”

These two questions boil down to “How does age affect a relationship?” or “Does age

gap affect relationships?” The truth is, there are so many other factors that one considers before

the issue of age arises like lifestyle, values, goals, height, skin color, race name them. However,

some people consider age as a very vital factor for reasons we shall discuss later. Some may be

okay with the same age, and others find an age gap of ten years or more appropriate.

The age gap rule

“Half your age plus seven years” is the rule most people use to determine if someone is

too old to date while “subtract seven and double the number” is the rule used to determine if

someone is too young to date.

Relationship

The way two individuals are connected by either blood or marriage.

Argumentative Essay 4

Age

The period or length of time one has lived on earth.

Age-gap

It the difference in age between two individuals

Someone will argue that age is not just a number. Well, maybe because age also is

described as work experience, love experience or life experience. Also, a number represents age.

This might raise problems in the different lifestyles and decision making of both partners. With

age one tends to be less hyper and appreciate quiet and laid back activities like watch movies or

enjoy a cold drink while the younger partner may enjoy more energy drawing activities like

rafting, hiking. There is also the other factor of settling down to raise a family. The younger

partner may consider it too early to do so, or even the older partner feels like they are too old to

have children.

While it is true that age might not be a number, let us consider this “Age is just a number,

maturity is what matters.” It might be a cliché, but in fact, it does hold more water than we think.

The number of years does not necessarily define your level of maturity. If two people with a

special connection and on the same level of maturity meet to let the idea of age not cloud their

judgment. For instance, you can be 25-years-old and have the mindset of a 40-years-old and vice

versa. It goes to show that someone’s view on life is not determined by the age but how mature

they are.

Age gap brings about the difference in the emotional needs of each. Aging also comes

with self-awareness in that one can pinpoint traits he/she is looking for in a partner. For Instance
Argumentative Essay 5

an age gap of twenty and thirty years, the two individual will have different needs as far as

relationships are concerned. The thirty-year-old is more aware of their needs as compared to the

twenty old one who is likely to experience confusion because they haven’t explored enough.

My opponent may argue that partners with an age gap may be on a different emotional

page and may struggle with what each one of them wants from the relationship. While it is true

that age comes with self-awareness and the age gap may pose a difference in the emotional needs

fact is it takes proper communication to define one's needs and also understand your partner's.

You may find one is very passive aggressive in the discussion, and the other one is

straightforward. These traits are not related to an individual's age but their personality. Partners

who are of the same age are likely to face the same problem; therefore, the age difference is not

to blame for the differences. Moreover, if the partner at thirty years old is facing challenges as

the one at twenty why not come together and find their path together. At that moment they will

have common goals and be in search of the same values.

For decades, society has stigmatized anyone who has developed a feeling for a partner

who is not in their age bracket or is not of the same age. Women who get in relationships with

men way younger than them say ten years or more known as ‘cougar.’ I think this a harsh

judgment, especially because age, is not the only factor to consider for a relationship to work.

One factor that affects age gap relationships is the family and friends perspective. They

base their concerns on social-cultural values. The couple may fall victim of the criticism and

break up. While it is true that the families of the partners may be showing genuine concern

which may be valid, the bottom line is that the feelings of the two individuals are what will

determine if they make it work. They need not meet their concerns with defensiveness but with

an open mind. Hear them out and comprehend the criticism and then explain to them with clarity
Argumentative Essay 6

why they firmly believe that they love and respect each other. Also, they are ready to make the

relationship work. Open-mindedness will help the couple respond instead of reacting every time

a friend or family or even a stranger criticizes their union.

Based on the age-gap rule, my opponent argues that men tend to have different views as

far as the age gap is concerned. Men feel that their age is the maximum limit they can date

within. As for women, three to five years away from their age is the ideal age for a potential

partner. Based on the fact women and men have different roles in a relationship. Traditionally,

the man should be older because they need to be in control and the woman needs to submit.

Therefore they should be younger. While it is true that women and men have different roles in a

relationship and that the age gap may affect that, In the modern society the positions that one can

take up as an individual are mostly determined by choice, character, values, and virtues. Age

shouldn’t be a measure of how well partners understand their responsibilities in a relationship.

For what is worth some women are way older that than their partner but still know that the

partner is still in charge.

As long as the two share similar virtues, values, goals, mutual respect and love each other

age will remain to be just a number; the age gap doesn’t matter in relationships. The most

important is do the two understand why they are together and what they both hope to achieve

from their union.

Argumentative Essay 7

References

1. The Times of India. (2018). He helps me become a better person | The Times of India. [online]
Available at: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/does-age-matter-in-a-
relationship-6-people-shared-their-side-of-the-story/photostory/63011211.cms?picid=63011213
[Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].

2. Hack Spirit. (2018). Research reveals who is too young or too old for you to date. [online]
Available at: https://hackspirit.com/new-research-revealed-acceptable-minimum-maximum-age-
dating-partners/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].

3. The Conversation. (2018). Mind the gap – does age difference in relationships matter?. [online]
Available at: https://theconversation.com/mind-the-gap-does-age-difference-in-relationships-
matter-94132 [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].

4. Betterhelp.com. (2018). How To Handle Challenges In Age Gap Relationships | Betterhelp.

[online] Available at: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/relations/how-to-handle-challenges-in-
age-gap-relationships/ [Accessed 11 Dec. 2018].

5. Anon, (2018). [online] Available at: https://www.coursehero.com/file/11924372/ingles/ [Accessed

11 Dec. 2018].
Argumentative Essay 8

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