does the fact that claudio and hero are younger than beatrice and benedick seem to color their views on love? Why or why not? Are they life parallels to these attitudes?

Both Hero and Claudio see an idealized love. Much of it is based on physical/sexual attraction as young love often is. Both really don't know themselves yet and see each other through the distorted lens of romantic love or eros. Young couples today are not much different. True love or "agape" comes out of struggle and knowing each other for who they really are rather than who they want each other to be.