Hollywood has depicted intergenerational relationship for years and commonly feature men in their 40’s and 50’s starring with women in their 20’s and 30’s. But the intergenerational gap isn’t reserved for men alone. In fact, recent trends point to the fact that at least one third of women prefer to date younger men. Celebrities are on the forefront of this movement and have brought the intergenerational gap into the spotlight. Stars such as Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher, Cameron Diaz and Justin Timberlake, and the Hollywood super duo, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins show that more women are choosing to date and marry younger men.

There are a number of reasons why people prefer to bridge the intergenerational gap, and research is pointing the finger to medical breakthroughs as one of the leading reasons. Men and women are aging in ways that maintains their looks, health, and vitality more than ever before. When you enter into the factor that divorce rates are climbing at increasing rates, you realize that both older men and women are entering the dating scene. As men and women look and feel younger their dating choices are plentiful.

However, there are some important decisions to consider when you are in an intergenerational relationship. It is important that you and your partner always keep open communication. Often many people fear that they may lose their partner simply to someone who is their partner’s age. This typically isn’t true, and many intergenerational relationships have stood the test of time and remained strong, committed, and viable. Yet, it is still a good idea to make sure that you enter into the relationship in agreement on some of life’s major issues. Here are the two most important questions that should be discussed and agreed upon when involved in an intergenerational relationship.

1. What are your plans for future family life?

Some older men prefer younger women because they love the beauty, carefree spirit, and energy that these women bring to the relationship. They may have been previously divorced and are looking for a woman in her 20’s. What they don’t expect is for their new girlfriend to get a maternal bug of her own and want children down the road. Older men who date younger women need to realize that they may end up in the father role again.

2. What are your career goals?

It is important that those who are in an intergenerational relationship agree upon their future career goals. It is common for intergenerational relationships to form due to their current career status, example successful business woman is interested in a younger man or older man who pursues a younger woman who may not be focused on her career or vice versa. If at any time the younger partner changes their goals or focus, the relationship may be headed for change so it is essential to consider these issues from the beginning.