Love and Money: Societal Attitudes Toward Income Disparities in Age-Gap Relationships

Authors: Victoria S. Scarratt

Abstract:

Couples involved in age-gap relationships generally evoke negative stereotypes, opinions, and social disapproval. This research seeks to examine whether financial disparities in age-discrepant relationships cause negative attitudes in study participants. It was hypothesized that an age-gap couple (29-year difference) would receive a greater degree of societal disapproval when the couple also had a large salary-gap compared to a similarly aged couple (1-year difference) with a salary-gap. Additionally, there would be no significant difference between age-gap couples without a salary-gap compared to a similarly aged couple without a salary gap. To test the hypothesis, participants were given one of four scenarios regarding a couple in a romantic relationship. Then they were asked to respond to nine Likert scale questions. Results indicated that participants perceived age-gap relationships with a salary disparity to be less equitable in regard to a power imbalance between the couple and the financial and general gain that one partner will receive. A significant interaction was also detected for evoking feelings of disgust in participants, and how morally correct it is for the couple to continue their relationship.

Keywords: Age-gap relationships, financial discrepancies, love, relationships, societal stigmas.

References:

[1] Lehmiller, J. J., & Agnew, C. R. (2006). Marginalized relationships: The impact of social disapproval on romantic relationship commitment. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 32, 40–51.
[2] Karantzas, G. (2020, September 22). Does an age gap really matter for couples? NZ Herald. Retrieved 1AD, from https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/gery-karantzas-mind-the-gap-does-age-difference-in-relationships-matter/SWXIYXIX5HKPZUEMJAZLLEW6XU/
[3] Buss, D. M. (1989). Sex differences in human mate preferences: Evolutionary hypotheses tested in 37 cultures. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 12(1), 1–49. https://doi-org.library.saintpeters.edu/10.1017/S0140525X00023992
[4] United Nations. (2000). World Marriage Patterns 2000. Retrieved April 17, 2009, from: http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/worldmarriage/ worldmarriage.htm
[5] Kenrick, D. T., & Keefe, R. C. (1992). Age preferences in mates reflect sex differences in human reproductive strategies. Behavioural and Brain Sciences, 15(1), 75–133. https://doi-org.library.saintpeters.edu/10.1017/S0140525X00067595
[6] Lehmiller, J. J., & Agnew, C. R. (2011). May-December paradoxes: An exploration of age-gap relationships in Western society. In W. R. Cupach & B. H. Spitzberg (Eds.), The dark side of close relationships II.(pp. 39–61). Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.32, 40–51.
[7] Thibaut, J. W., & Kelley, H. H. (1959). The social psychology of groups. New York: Wiley.
[8] Nakonezny, P. A., & Denton, W. H. (2008). Marital relationships: A social exchange theory perspective. American Journal of Family Therapy, 36(5), 402–412. https://doi.org/10.1080/01926180701647264
[9] Davlembayeva, D. & Alamanos, E. (2022) Equity Theory: A review. In S. Papagiannidis (Ed), TheoryHub Book. http://open.ncl.ac.uk
[10] Collisson, B., & Leon, L. P. (2018). Perceived inequity predicts prejudice towards age-gap relationships. Current Psychology: A Journal for Diverse Perspectives on Diverse Psychological Issues. https://doi-org.library.saintpeters.edu/10.1007/s12144-018-9895-6
[11] Banks, C. A., & Arnold, P. (2001). Opinions towards sexual partners with a large age difference. Marriage & Family Review, 33(4), 5–18. https://doi-org.library.saintpeters.edu/10.1300/J002v33n04_02
[12] Cowan, G. (1984). The double standard in age-discrepant relationships. Sex Roles,11, 17–23.
[13] Turner, L. (2008). Rise of the gold-digger: The young women who shamelessly pursue older men for their money. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1026116/Rise-gold-digger-The-young-women-shamelessly-pursue-older-men-money.html
[14] Milhausen, R. R., & Herold, E. S. (1999). Does the sexual double standard still exist? Perceptions of university women. Journal of Sex Research, 36, 361- 368
[15] Lehmiller, J. J., & Agnew, C. R. (2008). Commitment in age-gap heterosexual romantic relationships: A test of evolutionary and socio-cultural predictions. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32(1), 74–82 https://doi-org.library.saintpeters.edu/10.1111/j.1471-6402.2007.
[16] Groot, W., & Van Den Brink, H. M. (2002). Age and education differences in marriages and their effects on life satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 3, 153–165.
[17] Zak, A., Armer, E., Edmunds, K., Fleury, T., Sarris, M., & Shatynski, B. (2001). Age-discrepant relationships: Do these romances fare well? North American Journal of Psychology, 3, 119-122.