The author of this master's thesis explores the complex field of social perception and stigmatization of age-gap romantic relationships. The theoretical framework synthesizes key concepts regarding social norms, the operation of the so-called social clock, and the role of media in co-creating stereotypes about age-dissimilar relationships. Special emphasis is placed on attachment theory and the presentation of a study by Scolpino and Steele (2024), which served as the central empirical and methodological foundation for this research.
The empirical section utilizes a quantitative methodology, featuring data from 177 participants who fully completed the survey. The primary objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of stigmatization and to determine the correlation between external social pressures and the internal dynamics of adult romantic attachment (anxiety and avoidance). The results within the studied sample indicate that individuals in age-gap relationships are exposed to a statistically significant, higher degree of stigmatization compared to age-matched couples. Additionally, the findings confirm a strong positive correlation between the magnitude of the age gap and the level of experienced stigma, which may point to the rigidity of age norms in the investigated environment. Regarding romantic attachment, the analysis revealed no differences in attachment anxiety between the groups, empirically challenging stereotypes about the pathological nature of these unions within the sample scope, however, higher levels of attachment avoidance were detected, which can be interpreted as a situational response to external stress. Finally, the study highlights the universality of stigma, as the level of urbanization (urban vs. rural settings) did not significantly impact its perception. Through its findings, the master's thesis encourages the deconstruction of stigmatizing social narratives and provides an academic basis for a better understanding of relational diversity.
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