WHY AGE SHOILD OR SHOULD NOT MATTER IN RELATIONSHIPS Between 1906-1910, the typical age of marriage for men was 29.8 and 26.3 for women. This correlates a steady three year difference between the two sexes, a statistic that has been consistent throughout time. In many situations, relationships consists of one partner being scarce years older than the significant other. Statistics have shown that the woman is always dating an older man. This is understandable because it is a scientific fact that girls mature faster than boys therefore leading to the girl dating two or three years her senior. Although a natural law between men and women, it does not condone those relationships with age gaps consisting of more than three years. Likewise, some people feel just as comfortable being with someone more than 5 years older than their senior. As society has evolved, it is more common to see couples having grand age gaps. People have become more tolerable relationships because of age laws, today’s independent society, and uncontrolled attraction. To begin, as far as any legislation goes the Sexual Offences Act 1967 minimized the legal age for consent to 16. The term "relationship" only exists within the confines of a sexual relationship. In sight of the fact that there are laws regarding sexual intercourse, there are no specific laws regarding dating age (Dillner, 2009). Usually when in a relationship, intercourse is a factor. A question that is frequently asked is if 16 is an appropriate age that persons are ready to have sex. Although this statement is regarding sex, it also falls in line of relationships. The clash of generations is one of the oldest stereotypes that exist. Older people just want to have a trophy and younger people just want to have fun and financial security. These are just some of the usual stereotypes that people have. This may be true in some instances but there are always exceptions like in everything else. When in a grave relationship, both parties have to be in tune with each other’s emotions, feelings, and life experiences. The pair must see eye to eye on most of the key aspect in the situation for it to be effective.