Ken C is an astute and a valuable observer; he describes below his observations that four out of six AM/RW couples he knows are on the verge of break up. It appears that in his small sampling there were problems early on. It also appears that there is not much " age difference " in the couples; something that has been accused as the major destroyer of these relationships. The couples seem to be closer in age to each other.
Ken C sampling may be small, but I don't think it is irrelevant; other posters have described same or similar results; giving the odds of success anywhere from 15% to 40% and most of break up in the early years.
AM/RW relationships take a lot of money ( average $15,000 to $20,000); a lot of time and effort ( two to five years ). It begs the question, is it prudent to seek such a relationship at such a cost for such dismal odds?
As we know the financial and emotional cost of breaking up can be incalculable.
For me ignorance is bliss; I did not know anything about the odds, or the costs; I just went there, and brought back a wife, and it has worked out very well; happier than ever.
Had I known all of this, the chances are that I would have never ventured.
Mark