A 38-year-old woman dating a 31-year-old man faces a relationship that flips the traditional script—and the statistics aren’t exactly cheering from the sidelines. Only 6.9 percent of marriages feature wives who are 2-3 years older, while 64 percent of couples follow the opposite pattern.
So what does this mean for their chances?
The seven-year gap puts them in somewhat uncharted territory. Research shows that couples with 1-3 year differences, where the man is older, report the highest satisfaction levels. When gaps stretch to 4-6 years, satisfaction starts declining. And here’s the kicker: men with wives 7+ years older consistently report the lowest relationship satisfaction of all age gap combinations. Timing also plays a crucial role, as age and life stage considerations significantly impact relationship success.
Men with wives 7+ years older consistently report the lowest relationship satisfaction of all age gap combinations.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. The emotional maturity factor might actually work in their favor. Women near 30 often seek partners in their mid-30s for better maturity alignment, and men mature emotionally slower than women anyway.
At 38 and 31, she’s likely hitting her stride professionally and personally, while he’s entering his prime adult years. The timing could sync up better than the raw numbers suggest.
Success hinges on specific factors that matter more than age gaps. Higher education levels, financial security, and low neuroticism in both partners correlate strongly with relationship success.
Strong communication skills and high emotional intelligence can bridge age-related differences. A satisfying sex life doesn’t hurt either.
The real challenge? Time. Large age gaps experience faster satisfaction decline in the first 6-10 years of marriage.
Research on women marrying younger men also links to decreased longevity, particularly for the woman, though married people still outlive singles overall. For perspective, their seven-year difference is still well within normal ranges compared to the most extreme cases where couples have reported age gaps of 28+ years.
Can they make it work? Absolutely. But they’ll need to be more intentional than couples following traditional patterns. They should focus on building robust communication, ensuring financial stability, and addressing any maturity gaps head-on. Managing external judgment from friends and family who may question their unconventional pairing will also require setting clear boundaries.
