Leonardo Di Caprio gets torn to shreds in the media for enjoying age-gap relationships well into his forties. Every time he gets a hot new girlfriend, articles are published shaming men for seeking younger partners. But Leo isn’t the only one. Many of the world’s most rich and successful men choose to date younger women. So, one would assume there are some advantages. So what’s the big deal about dating someone younger than you and is it all it’s cracked up to be?
If you’re thinking about dating someone younger than you, make sure to read on. Below, we’ll explore the main reasons why men like to do it, as well as some perceived disadvantages.
The Appeal of Dating Someone Younger Than You
There are several studies suggesting that most men prefer to date younger women. The most prominent is arguably a 2020 study measuring the opinions of men and women across 45 countries. So, don’t feel ashamed if you’re one of the men who prefer dating someone younger than you.
Below, you’ll find 10 explanations of the reasons why so many men prefer to date someone younger.
1. It’s a matter of respect
When a woman respects her man, they are both more likely to enjoy a blissful relationship.
This allows a man to thrive in his masculine leadership role, while his woman can relax into her femininity.
That respect is most likely to be present when a man has accumulated more life experience than his partner.
An inexperienced Gen-Z woman will often respect a man who has achieved a lot and can teach her many life lessons.
But older women - who have either achieved a lot themselves or dated accomplished men - can be a lot harder to impress.
These older women might suggest the solution is for men to become better and earn their respect. But why would they do that when the newest generation of babes already respect them for who they are?
2. It’s an ego boost
Many older women view younger partners as somewhat of a ‘trophy girlfriend’ - a sign that they’ve still got what it takes to attract a hot babe.
This ego boost isn’t a reason on its own to date a younger woman. Honestly, you shouldn’t ever make dating decisions based on your ego. But it still feels good when others stare at you and your partner wondering how you made it happen.
The answer to that question is: you’re a great guy. Beautiful young women don’t date losers, after all. And a lot of men enjoy parading their younger girlfriends around town as a status symbol to prove they’re a winner.
In many ways, it’s no different from driving a Ferrari or wearing a Rolex. You know that other people around would love to have that and that’s a great stroke to the ego.
3. It’s an opportunity to relive your youth
To feel young is to feel alive!
And there’s nothing like dating a younger woman to make you feel younger than your actual years.
A younger woman will often have the energy to go out and experience new adventures. They’re most likely keeping up with modern trends and have the youthful desire to live life to the fullest. And this can inspire an older man to want to do the same.
Older men with this attitude are often told they’re having a ‘midlife crisis’. This is usually by older women trying to shame them for having a good time.
I never understood why it’s a ‘crisis’ to want to feel youthful and experience an eventful life. If you want to feel like that, a hot young girlfriend will help you.
4. Men enjoy being “providers”
Many men enjoy being providers for their partners. In many cases, it gives them a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
This is still seen as the man’s role in a relationship, even as women continue to excel in the workplace.
Marriages, where the woman earns more, are 50% more likely to end in divorce than the other way around. What’s more, men who earn less than their partners are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction.
It’s in everyone’s best interests for the husband to earn more, then. And that’s statistically more likely if he’s dating a younger woman.
5. Younger women have higher sex drives
There are some older women out there who are seriously horny, for sure.
But data shows that older men are typically more interested than older women in maintaining a good sex life.
And younger women are the most likely to fulfill that craving. Indeed, a younger woman’s body is typically thriving with the hormones responsible for a high libido in her twenties. But these can often drop off as she reaches her 30s and beyond.
There are many more factors responsible for libidos but the fact is: young women are more likely to have a high sex drive. And that’s another reason why mature men choose to date them.
6. Younger women are less likely to demand commitment
If an older man is worried about commitment, he’s better off seeking a younger woman to date.
A woman in her early twenties is often more concerned about enjoying herself than settling down with her life partner. It’s only when they get further into their twenties and thirties that the desire for marriage and children becomes more urgent.
Older women might not necessarily want to get married or have children, but many desire a committed companion to look after them as they age. Older women are less likely to have a lot of friends. Plus, the friends they do have often have husbands and families of their own to look after. So, they usually look for a partner to become that life companion they’re missing.
7. What if an older man does want children?
If an older man does want to have children, a younger woman is his best option.
Women are most fertile in their teens and twenties. Their fertility begins to drop in their thirties, while the chances of them conceiving in their forties are slim to none.
It’s often argued that men are biologically attracted to younger women for this reason. Even if they consciously don’t want children, their body is programmed to be attracted to signs of fertility such as a youthful face, large perky boobs, and a high hip-to-waist ratio.
This is why it makes no sense to shame older men for being attracted to younger women. It's literally in our DNA.
8. Younger women are more likely to be emotionally healthy
Life is hard. Break-ups hurt. Tragedies are inevitable with time.
These are all reasons to assume that younger women are emotionally healthier than their older counterparts.
If you date an 18-year-old, you can safely assume she’s had fewer heartbreaks than a 38-year-old. She’s less likely to be jaded and assume “all men are trash.” Sadly, that’s the reality for most women who have “been around the block” and had their hearts broken too often.
Of course, there are teenagers out there with messed up mental health. There are lovely sweet older women without a chip on their shoulder too.
But, in general, younger women are less damaged by stress and trauma - and that makes them more enjoyable to date.
CDC data shows that women aged 60+ are the demographic most likely to be on anti-depressants, followed by women aged 40-59.
9. A lot of men care about a woman’s body count
This is one of the most fiercely-contested debates in modern dating: should a woman’s body count matter?
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what women think about this topic. Because for a lot of men, it does matter.
Many men (who have done their research) point to this study which shows that women with higher body counts are less likely to be faithful. The research shows that women with 0-1 previous partner were the least likely to divorce, while those with 10 or more were significantly more likely.
This is often explained by the theory that it becomes harder to pair bond with every new sexual partner you have. With that said, many men prefer to date inexperienced women just to satisfy their ego.
If you’re one of these men, you’re better off seeking out younger women. Older women with little-to-no sexual experience are harder to find.
10. Younger women are generally regarded as more physically attractive
There are many beautiful older women out there! And many men are excited to date them.
But, younger women are generally perceived by the masses as more physically attractive.
Let’s take another look at the signs of fertility that are regarded as universally attractive.
- Youthful skin;
- Full lips;
- Big perky boobs;
- High hip-to-waist ratio.
Younger women are far more likely to have these physical qualities than their older counterparts. In fact, OKCupid data suggests women start to become less desirable as early as age 22.
Men are visual creatures when it comes to attraction, and the majority look for these qualities. Sadly, they often disappear as a woman ages.
So, if you’re someone who wants your partner to maintain these qualities for a long time, you should be aiming to date someone younger than you.
The Pros and Cons of Dating a Woman 20 Years Younger
When you experiment with dating a woman 20 years younger, you’ll certainly begin to experience the appeal of age-gap relationships. But when the gap is so large, you’re more likely to run into complications.
Below, we’ll summarise the likely pros and cons of dating a woman 20 years younger than you.
Pros
- A greater chance of respect;
- A great ego boost;
- An opportunity to relive your youth;
- A greater opportunity to be her “provider”;
- She’s more likely to have a high sex drive;
- She’s more likely to be healthy and physically attractive;
- She’s more likely to be fertile;
- She’ll be fitter to look after you in old age.
Cons
- Generational differences may mean you have less in common;
- There may also be differences in relationship expectations;
- Perhaps you’ll have to deal with shaming from her family and society at large.
The Pros and Cons of Dating a Woman 30 Years Younger
A large study of online dating data suggests that the older a man gets, the more likely he is to pursue an age-gap relationship. Dating a woman 30 years younger would qualify as an extreme age-gap relationship in the eyes of most people. This could arguably lead to more extreme differences between the two of you. But the benefits of dating someone younger than you are more likely to be extreme too. So, if you’re able to date someone 30 years younger than you, go ahead and give it a try.
You might just love it!
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