my parents were more than that apart. They were in the 2 decade difference marriage.
In upperclass neighborhoods, that is a normal marriage.. especially the second wives. I'm used to it. That is what I grew up around.
It really depends on which gender is the elder in the relationship. If the elder is a man, i dont think that gap is very big. There are much bigger ones and males have a long history of making gaps bigger than that work. Especially successful males.
If the elder is a woman, that is a HUMONGOUS gap frankly, I dont think that happens much in the world of married women and doesnt really work that well when it does. Very very rare.
After hearing women ranting about demie/ashtin for 5 years... It think its highly tacky when any woman bashes an older husband/ younger wife couple. Really tacky.
At my age, a 17 year gap beneath me is illegal but, when I reach my 30's and 40's I wont be closed to the idea if it happens. My parents were good role models on how to make a big gap work.
The cougar thing is a tv world thing. It is NOt a marriage world thing by any stretch of the imagination. Very few males actually marry a female 4+ year older than us statistically in the real world.