Research indicates that heterosexual couples tend to differ in age by about three years and men tend to be older (Buss, 1989; Conroy-Beam, 2019). The standard three-year age gap has some wiggle room before age becomes salient. The larger the age gap, the more partners, and the public, might take notice.

Is 10 years age gap too big?

Anything more than a 10-year age gap means partners grew up in different eras and might have different life expectations. But according to Nelson, while there is no true age limit to dating between consenting adults, a 10-year age difference can mean partners grew up in different generations.