My wife is older than me. How to be the head of a family?translated

Lyubov ALYUKOVA

existential psychologist

In our society, there is still a strong, deeply rooted stereotype that a classic family is a union where the man is certainly older, more experienced and has higher status. But real life is always broader than these rigid boundaries. Today, unions where a woman is 5, 10 or even 15 years older than her partner have ceased to be exotic. Love doesn't look at your passport. However, when the first deafening euphoria of falling in love wears off, many men are faced with a painful internal conflict. “She is older, more successful and wiser. How can I remain a man, not lose my authority and be the real head of our family?” Let's look at this situation together with psychologist Lyubov Alyukova.

What a man is going through

The first thing a man in an age-unequal marriage faces is colossal social pressure and the caustic whisper of an inner critic. Society, friends, and sometimes family may make toxic “mommy” jokes or doubt your worth. In this case, you begin to frantically analyze your every step, afraid of appearing inexperienced, financially insolvent or immature compared to your adult wife. This…