'My Family Won't Accept My Partner Because Of Our 16-year Age Gap' -- Reddit Reactions | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

A 26-year-old man is engaged to a 42-year-old man, but the younger man's family refuses to acknowledge their relationship due to the age gap.

Key Insights

• 🤕 Age gaps in relationships can lead to family opposition and refusal to acknowledge the relationship.
• 🤕 Previous abusive experiences can contribute to family concerns about the potential for exploitation or abuse in relationships with significant age differences.
• 👪 Strained relationships with family members due to age gap judgments can strain overall family dynamics and reduce social interactions.
• 🤗 Open and honest conversations, therapy, time, and consistent demonstration of a healthy relationship may help improve family acceptance and support.
• 👪 Ultimately, individuals in relationships must prioritize their own happiness and well-being, even if it means distancing themselves from unsupportive family members.
• 🤑 Concern for loved ones' well-being is natural, but it must be balanced with respecting their autonomy and ability to make decisions for themselves.
• 🤕 Family objections based solely on an age gap may not consider the depth and strength of the relationship itself.

Transcript

i 26 male i'm engaged with a wonderful guy 42 male but my family makes a really big deal about our age gap and they all refuse to acknowledge our relationship uh what's the math on this one 42 minus 26 don't make me pull up my calculator math is obviously not our strong suit you guys i'm not an accountant for a reason please please cut that out it'... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How long have the engaged couple been together, and how did they meet?

The couple has been together for eight years since they were 18 and 34. They met through a mutual class and gradually developed a romantic relationship.

Q: Why does the younger man's family oppose their relationship?

The family has concerns about the significant age gap and fears that it may lead to abuse or exploitation, given the younger man's previous abusive relationship in high school.

Q: How did the couple's strained relationship with the younger man's family affect their social interactions?

They started avoiding family events, only attending weddings and funerals, while spending holidays with the older man's family. The younger man's father remained supportive, while the rest of the extended family became increasingly hostile.

Q: How did the family react when the couple got engaged?

The family contacted the younger man, begging him to reconsider, believing he was making a mistake. They viewed him as someone who needed protection and saw the older man as potentially abusive due to his age and being a widower with a teenage son.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The engaged couple has a significant age gap of 16 years, leading to opposition and refusal of acknowledgement from the younger man's family.

• They met when the younger man was 18, and their relationship grew from a friendship to a romance over the years.

• Despite facing initial support, their relationship strained relations with the younger man's extended family, who now strongly object to their engagement.