Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is going to become a groom for the third time. According to media reports, he has confirmed his marriage with his partner Gauri Spratt on July 5. As soon as this news came out, discussions started not only about their relationship but also about the 14 year age difference between them. This raises the question: Is a certain age difference between husband and wife necessary for a successful relationship, or is it merely a result of social perception?
What are the rules in Indian society?
In Indian society it has been believed for a long time that the husband should be older than his wife. Generally a gap of three to five years is considered ideal, especially in arranged marriages. However, with changing times this thinking is gradually changing. Today there are many high-profile couples who have challenged traditional rules related to age. For example, the age difference between Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas is around 10 years, while the age difference between Shahid Kapoor and Mira Rajput is around 15 years. Despite this, their relationships are considered successful.
Does age difference matter?
From a scientific point of view, experts believe that apart from age, factors like physical, mental and emotional maturity play a more important role in marriage. Scientific studies show that hormonal changes in girls usually begin earlier than in boys; As a result, women often become emotionally mature at a younger age. The legal age for marriage in India is set at 18 for women and 21 for men, so the three-year difference often seems balanced. However, this does not mean that a large age difference will weaken the relationship.
What really matters?
According to ‘PsychCentral’, a website that provides information about relationships, American psychologist Dr. Lauren O’Shaughnessy offers an interesting perspective. He says that most couples consider themselves to be of the same age. We have chronological age (age as per date of birth), mental age, physical age and sexual age. Many couples with wide age differences have a lot of similarity in the last three aspects. This means that relationship is not determined by date of birth alone; Equally important are the similarities in thinking, emotions and lifestyle.
What are the challenges associated with large age differences?
Relationships with a significant age difference may face some challenges. According to counselor Brandi Porsch, an age difference of 10 to 15 years — or more — between spouses can make a big difference in their life experiences. At the same time, mental health expert Gianmarie Guarino says that in such relationships there can be differences regarding health, energy level, plans to start a family and life priorities.