Topic : 09/21 Does Age Matter?

I believe Shelly should end this relationship for now.  Who knows maybe 4 years or so from now.  Shelly needs to have a 'break-time" for herself.  Also, this young man needs to dedicate the next few years to school and discovering more about himself.  Neither one should be in a "relationship" right now and for the time being definately not with each other.  Should their paths cross 4 years or so from now, have a nice sit-down dinner and see just how much has changed.  Never say never, but, right now Shelly, "NO.  It's just not good timing for either of you." 

Christopher Knight needs to check his temper.  I dated someone like him once and it was SCARY.  If you cannot treat your wife like an equal... GET OUT.  Truly, the demeaning style of fighting has got to stop.  I actually think the age difference is big between you two, seeing that she is still in her twenties. 

I am 46 and I am dating a man who is 29.  I didn't intentionally look for a young guy it just happened  We have fun together and spend time together.  I am not sure if it will be a long term relationship, but we are exclusive.

 

I don't see any problems with the age difference.  He doesn't want children and I have a daughter who is a senior in high school..

 

Dr Phil..any comments?

After watching the show I had to literally pick my jaw up off the floor. This 38 year old women is in complete denial of what this relationship is really all about. It's clear to see that this 18 year old kid views her as the mother that he wishes he had. She's simply using this poor kid to fuel her ego and fear of being alone after her divorce. I agree with Dr. Phil she is completely selfish. It's pretty sad that her self worth is so low that she has to go after a kid. I agree with Dr. Phil when he said that age difference isn't always about the number of years separating the two, rather than the life experiences that each have had. This kid is still a kid he has a whole entire world to experience. I'm 28 years old and personally I like older men, however I've had many life experiences including building a career and a life of my own. The last man I dated was 13 years my senior and an incredible man.  He treated me the way I've always dreamed of being treated and that's because he knows how to act like a man and take care of me on many levels. Growing facial hair doesn't make a boy a man, life experiences do and that only occurs over time. Maybe this is why this women is recently divorced, she didn't know how to let a man be a man and tried to control the relationship. I guess it's easy to wear the pants in a relationship when you're in one with a child. Shame on her...

I met and married a woman 10 years older than me......WHEN I WAS 18!!!!!  We just celebrated our 26th anniversary May 2007.  We have always been very compatable with each other, we share the same values, morals, interest and love our life together.  We have never been separated, neither of us have ever had and affair.....so my advice to the people that disagree with May-Dec romance is to MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!!!!!!

I am a 38 year old woman who married a man 22 years older than me.  We started dating when I was 25 and he was 47.  We have been married now for almost 10 years and we have a son who will be six years old in a few week.  My husband has two grown daughters and two granddaughters.

 

Our relationship has worked well for us and we are very happy together.  At first, it was hard for my father to see me with someone who was almost as old as him, but he saw how well my husband treats me and he told me that he doesn't even notice the age difference now. 

 

I have always been more mature for my age and I have never gotten along well with men my own age because I am always told that I have an "old soul".  Our relationship is not perfect and we do have our struggles just like any other couple, but by far this is the best relationship that I have been in.  My husband and I both have health issues and we understand each other when it comes to health problems.  He understands when I can't go and do and vice versa.  When I was married to my first husband, he had no sympathy and he didn't even believe that I was sick. 

 

I love watching Dr. Phil and I eagerly waited to watch this show because I am always hoping to see a show that talks about May/December relationships in a positive light.  Our relationship has worked I think the world should know that some of these relationships are positive and great.

 

 

 

 So Chris and Adrian are back on tv again. I watched "My Fair Brady" both seasons, and was surprised when they both went thru with the marriage. There were issues on both sides. Her need to fight and thinking that made for a good relationship ~~ not when your both hitting below the belt! Her not taking responsiblity for her mouth and actions all the time~~ wonder if she ever did quit smoking. On the other hand, Chris acting like the "I'm older so I know better, listen to me he-man"``PLEEZE!!!!!! And you wonder why Adrian is wife #3? or was that #4??
I think they both are enjoying being in the limelight again. Adrian went from, Next Top Model, to Surreal Life, saw a good hook with Chris and went on to "My Fair Brady".....now after 4 years in a row on tv, they are out on their own and unless she goes back to modelling, she's out of the limelight. Not sure what was in this for Chris except some quick money on Surreal Life and My Fair Brady.......only they got married an now have to handle everyday without the cameras on. Maybe post some cameras around the house then they can work their "issues" out!

With the other couples I think if a partner is under 25 to 21, and still living at home, they have no business dating anyone that is so much older....wouldn't want to date them if I was the same age and they were still at home! And I mean male or female ~~ tho what an 18 year old sees in that much older of a woman is beyond me.

My last boyfriend was 10 years younger. He kept me young in alot of ways and was great fun. He had his own house, paid for, his own business all by the time he was 30......when we met. After almost 7 years I called it quits because the one thing he wouldn't change is his drinking and partying ways. He still wants me to come back and live with him now etc. but I've said not as long as he's drinking and not in AA. That was hard to walk away from, to be set for life, and have that kind of love.

But somethings like your sanity are worth more than money or your 15 minutes of fame!

:) Tammy, you are absolutely right!  This broad generalization was just outrageous! To think that a professional should investigate and diagnose my relationship as though it were an illness!!!!  My relationship with my husband happens to be the healthiest, happiest thing that has ever happened to me, and everyone in my life agrees and is happy for me...

 

As to the guests on the show, I don't think either relationship is a healthy one,  not because of the age of the individuals involved, but because of the way they are relating to one another. Not all May / December relationships should be compared to the ones on this show.  As I said before, it probably wouldn't work for everyone, but that doesn't automatically make it wrong.

 

Dr. Phil, you have shown clearly on past shows that you do not approve this type of relationship, possibly because you don't understand them. So, while I thank you for doing this show and opening the dialogue on this topic, I guess we need to agree to disagree on this particular subject.

 

Seems we all do as a matter of fact.

Chris and his wife. I'm not familiar with them as a couple or their history as I'm out of the loop on pop culture I guess. Whenever I hear name calling, obscenities coming out of people's mouths as they blast each other to kingdom come, I just wonder what is wrong in their hearts. It's very sad. I feel that a trip to St. Jude's Children's hospital or viewing "Waiting for the world to change in Camden", the Diane Sawyer special about people with nothing and barely any hope or any of Oprah's inspiring shows including the one just on, "Into the Wild" or Planet Earth, just for a few examples, would make these two see what real problems are and maybe they'd wake up and take a good long look at their shallow lives. It's difficult to believe that Chris, for example didn't notice that his future wife was indifferent about keeping her environment organized and neat; and that she didn't pick up after herself. These things are important to him. That would be hard to miss. Maybe the Odd Couple worked as a TV show but it would drive someone to drink in real life.

 

The woman with a boyfriend her son's age and his friend to boot is doomed. Her son's friend. How embarrassing for him. Sometimes in life you have to put your children's feelings first and look down the road. The boy feels secure with a mother figure for a lover because I imagine he hasn't been
"most popular boy" with girls his own age. In time, given the chance he would come into his own but he doesn't stand a chance to do that while with her. She reminded me of the same kind of a woman who would get involved with a man on death row or in prison for a long time. Why people like this agree to appear on national television is beyond me. It's sad. And what's sadder is these are the same people who keep the Tabloids in business and couldn't tell you the capital of Nevada or find Iraq on a map. There is no world but their own minuscule existence. Very hopeless.

 

 

It sickens me to think about how many adults are sleeping with young children to fill voids in their lives. This woman dating this kid is sick and not healthy. She really needs counceling and to realize that while she is slepping with this kid and living this fake fary tail life, she is ruining his life when he still has so much life to live. She has already lived her life and is emposing on his. I feel so embarrassed for her kids and hope that one day they do not turn against her for this. It is a bad signal to send to her children especially her 12 year old daughter. This relationship should end now!