how much older than you should your man be

I don't think there is any hard and fast rule to say a man should be, by any amount of years, older or younger than the woman. If two people truly love one another, then the issue of age would definitely melt into insignificance. However, I feel that a too large age gap, say one of about 25 or so years, could create some problems in that each person in the relationship will be at a different life development stage and perhaps may not be able to share experiences of common ground.

I believe that maturity doesn't always come with age. Maturity of a person depends on his/her experience in life. There are lots of people who don't act with their age.

I don't believe respect has anything to do with age... My girlfriend & I have been together for a while & we have no issues as far as repect goes... She's, in all practical senses, same age as I am... I was born in January & she was born in May of the same year... Also, one of my ex-girlfriend was 28 years older than I was... Again, there was no issues on respect... I believe respect is earned, not given away...

I don't really think age has anything to do with love. If you have common interests, love and commitment you can make a relationship work. My husband is 4 years older than me but sometimes acts like he is much younger than I am. Lol. I love him though so its okay.

My husband older than me but our relationship is great we treat each other like bestfriend were we can share everything under the sun. I think in a relationship age is only a number and can't affects the relationship as long as us they understand and love each other.

hmm..well, I haven't heard that saying that 'if you are the same age as your man, you never respect each other'. Well, for me, it's better if my guy is older than I am, because like you, I think that women mature faster than men. But on the other hand, if you are the same age with your guy, there should also be respect between the two of you. I believe that at one point, you respect each person you meet, especially if it is your partner. So, whatever gap of age you have with your guy, it all depends on the two of you, on how you will respect each other. Also, trust and respect make a relationship stronger.:)

Respect come more form how you treat people and how you expect t be treated than from how old you are. My ex husband was 5 years older than me, I still don't respect him because of who he became and what he did with his life. My current husband is 3 years younger than me and I respect him, but he also respects me. I have dated guys of many different ages, and I never allowed them to disrespect me and I didn't disrespect them.

I think age is not a problem. It is the most important that the man can understand and love you.