Age Matters

My car had a birthday recently and is now five years old. Sounds young but in “car years” the Olds is more than just obsolete. By advertising “2004” if I decided to get rid of this car, I would be hard pressed to get many “lookers.” Age matters.

I had a birthday recently, too. A friend was commenting on the year we were both born and I responded, “Age doesn’t matter!” Not a true statement.

Let’s be honest. Anyone out there in the adult dating world knows that age is one of the biggest obstacles in marketing yourself. That number will instantly place you in a category that you may or may not choose to be a part of…voluntarily. It’s just the way it is. Try to pass for 30 when you are 50 and chances are you will get a rejection letter or two.

So what do we say when our 17-year-old is head over heels with a 25-year-old? Age doesn’t matter? Do they justify the age gap with a list of reasons why this is a good choice? “She is really young for her age.” He is much more mature that his friends.” “She really doesn’t look that old.”

Let’s try using those lines when we take our teens shopping for a car. “This car is in great shape for being so old.” “ This car has a lot more miles on it than the others I’ve found.” Does your teen want a brand new car but dates a girl that has an odometer reading that spells “vintage?”

It is true that the older we get, the less the age gap will matter in a relationship. The seven-year difference between a 1969 Ford and a 1962 Ford is not as critical as say, a 2009 Ford and a 2002. Would your teen be willing to trade in the new car they got for their 16th birthday for a car that is six years older? Doubt it…age matters.

Thoughts?
Lisa j