The double standard in age-discrepant relationships

If a double standard of aging exists, the relationship in which the female is older should be seen more negatively than the more traditional male-older relationship. This study examined the effects of both degree of age discrepancy and sex of the older person on attributions of success for relationships in both adult and adolescent samples. Both samples rated the highly discrepant female-older relationship (18 years difference) least probable of success. Level of discrepancy and sex of older person were significant factors for both groups. Surprisingly, both adult and adolescent males, in contrast to females, did not show the double standard in evaluating moderately discrepant relationship (7 years).