Age, Generations, and Relationships

Generations versus age

Although age and generation aren’t interchangeable terms, they do correspond with each other to an extent.

Gen Z generation is classified as those born between 1997 and 2012/2015.

Millenials are those born between 1981 and 1995 and are:

• More inclined to use technology to find romantic or sexual partners.
• More likely to report being comfortable with pre-marital sex than earlier generations, but also having less sex than previous generations did at their age.
• More likely to live with a partner outside of marriage, often for longer terms with no plans of marriage, which is uncommon in older generations.
• More likely to engage in safer sexual behaviors.
• Perhaps a part of a larger trend away from risky behaviors.
• More accepting of CNM and more likely to have participated in CNM at some point.

Gen X are those born between 1965 and 1980 and are:

• Twice as likely to primarily communicate with romantic interests via text message.
• Still reading newspapers and magazines but are also technologically savvy.

Boomers are born between 1946 and 1964 and are:

• Least likely to use technology to meet someone.
• Less focused on marriage than Gen X.
• Prone to lower rates of masturbation than other generations but have similar rates of other types of sex.
• Less likely to practice safer sex.

Age gaps in relationships

Strangely enough, the list of potential challenges in a relationship with an age gap versus the list of potential benefits is almost the same. It simply depends on whether that is a pro or a con for you in the relationship. The lists typically look like:

• Having very different cultural touch points.
• Liking totally different movies and music.
• Being in different phases of life.
• Power imbalances/privilege imbalances.
• Differences in levels of self-confidence because of life experience.
• Differences in energy levels and sex drive.
• Peers not liking the age gap or excluding your partner.