Age Differences

[latinmass1983]

Kepha,

 

you are not the only one, then!

[gemma_philothea]

In most of my readings of older spiritual works and advice to women from Catholic sources, they usually say the most age difference should be about ten years. I think there have even been saints who have given similar advice, but I cannot recall where I have read this. However, there is no definitive Church teaching on this, so one would just have to consider what the prudent thing to do is, in each individual case, weighing all the factors.

Obviously, one must take into account recent improvements in health care and more knowledge in areas such as nutrition that would cause people to live longer. I think that lifespans were about half or less, at the time when many solid Catholic spiritual writers wrote on these matters.

[Ancilla_Indigna]

+JMJ+

 

This was a very good question. 

 

I always feel like men that are much older are like, "dirty ol' men".   I think of younger guys as more innocent (whether or not that's really true, who knows?).

 

I don't think 10 years younger is neccessarily too much younger, but it's kind of pushing it.  It really depends how old you and the guy are, and how mature, and more importantly, what each of your spiritual directors say about it. 

 

Also, there are limits.  He can't be younger than late 20s  I mean, if you are 29 and he's 19, that's not adviseable!