He’s cute, funny and sexy, but… he’s younger than you. Can it work? Or is dating a younger guy more trouble than it’s worth?

If you find yourself falling for a younger man, you may be concerned as to whether the relationship is destined for success or disaster. We show you what you need to consider when going for the younger guy…

Age is just a number
There are plenty of grown men out there who still act like children, and there are plenty of perfectly mature young men out there too! If you’re considering dating a younger guy, forget his age for a moment and ask yourself how mature he really is and if he is at a similar maturity level to you. If you can look past the number, you’ll figure out how good a match you really are.

Do you have the same goals and interests?
When dating a younger man, problems in the long term can stem from being at incompatible stages. You may be heading towards a stage in your life where you are thinking about settling down, while he may be at a stage where he’s enjoying partying too much to think about making any commitments. If you’re looking for more than a short term fling, you’ll need to ask yourself if you’re interested in the same things, and if you have similar ambitions for the future.

Do the roles fit?
If you’re dating a guy who’s younger than you, you may find yourself slipping into a more dominant role in the relationship. He may look to you for guidance, and you may find yourself in more of the nurturing role than usual. If you’re a strong kind of girl who likes the idea of taking a guy under your wing, then this could work for you. Consider the dynamic between the two of you, what roles you take, and whether or not it’s going to work.

What can you learn from each other?
Are you looking to inject some energy into your life and try new things? Does he need some stability, and someone to guide him? You may just be exactly what the other needs. Though you might be quite different people, you could find that you can teach each other valuable things and bring out the best in each other. Ask yourself what he brings out in you, and what you bring out in him. This may be an opportunity for both of you to grow.

In the end it all comes down to how you feel. If you make each other happy and are both dedicated to the relationship, you can make it work - regardless of the age gap. After all, true love knows no boundaries.

Kayla Langhorne