Dating by the numbers
It is a known fact that women
are generally attracted to older
men, whereas men are more often
than not attracted to younger
women. I'm not talking about a
difference of a few months, either;
I'm talking about at least a few
years.
But why are we attracted to people in different age groups? As a woman who generally dates older men, I can give you a few reasons why women are enticed by older guys, but I wanted to get other opinions, so I asked some men and women: what is so appealing about dating someone older and younger? Here is what I found out.
Some reasons why women are attracted to older men:
1. More mature: We all know that women mature faster than men, and most women want to date someone at their own maturity level. I can give you several examples of how guys act immature, but what separates a mature man and an immature one is his ability to think of others. When guys are younger, they are more likely to think only about themselves; the older they get, the more they grow as a person and become less selfish. Girls don't want to date a guy who just thinks about his own needs, they want a man who thinks about others as well. When guys just think about themselves, they are typically more likely to hurt a girl they care about if it benefits them in some way. Dating a guy who is immature and would rather go out every night and get drunk with his friends instead of spending some time with you is not a kind of guy that a girl wants a relationship with.
2. Treat women better: Older guys generally treat women better than younger men. They are not as afraid to show how they feel, and it reflects in their actions. They do small things like buying flowers for a girl just because they want to. They are willing to go that extra mile to make a woman happy, even if it means taking her to see a ballet even though he hates it. Girls want to feel like they are important, and sometimes older men just do a better job at making girls feel special.
3. Security: Older guys tend to have their lives together and know what they want. They are done fooling around and are looking for something substantial. I am aware that some girls might be offended by the idea that girls are attracted to guys that can take care of them, but the truth is, some girls like the idea. They want a guy who has a career, car, his own place (he doesn't have to be a lawyer with a penthouse suite), but it's good to know they have a stable life.
Why men are attracted to younger women:
1. Easier to manipulate: I was shocked and appalled at how many guys told me one of the reasons they liked to date younger girls was because they are easier to manipulate and control (just to clarify, it was a common answer but definitely was not felt by all men). Some guys mentioned they take advantage of the fact that girls like older men; they think younger girls are more willing to do things for them. Because of their past experiences, older women are less likely to take crap from guys. It's kind of like that Taylor Swift song, "Fifteen". At 15, when a guy lies and tells you he loves you, you are obviously going to believe him. When you are 25 or 30 and a guy tries to pull the same crap, you probably won't believe him. The older a woman gets the harder it is for a guy to convince her of a lie.
2. Ego boost: It's obvious guys enjoy that they can still get the "pretty young thing." It's not necessarily always true, but it is a common perception that with youth comes beauty, so the most beautiful women are younger. I mean, if you are old and balding, wouldn't you be happy that you can still get the hot 23 year old? Of course you would, and it would make you feel good about yourself that you still have what it takes to attract beautiful women. It also keeps them feeling young because no guy wants to admit he is getting old.
3. Fertility: This might sound a bit strange, but guys usually want to settle down at a later age than women. They like to take full advantage of their youth, but by the time they decide they want a family, women their own age are fertile for a shorter period of time, so with younger women they are able to have more children. Even though they are older, they can still have a big family if they wanted to.
But why are we attracted to people in different age groups? As a woman who generally dates older men, I can give you a few reasons why women are enticed by older guys, but I wanted to get other opinions, so I asked some men and women: what is so appealing about dating someone older and younger? Here is what I found out.
Some reasons why women are attracted to older men:
1. More mature: We all know that women mature faster than men, and most women want to date someone at their own maturity level. I can give you several examples of how guys act immature, but what separates a mature man and an immature one is his ability to think of others. When guys are younger, they are more likely to think only about themselves; the older they get, the more they grow as a person and become less selfish. Girls don't want to date a guy who just thinks about his own needs, they want a man who thinks about others as well. When guys just think about themselves, they are typically more likely to hurt a girl they care about if it benefits them in some way. Dating a guy who is immature and would rather go out every night and get drunk with his friends instead of spending some time with you is not a kind of guy that a girl wants a relationship with.
2. Treat women better: Older guys generally treat women better than younger men. They are not as afraid to show how they feel, and it reflects in their actions. They do small things like buying flowers for a girl just because they want to. They are willing to go that extra mile to make a woman happy, even if it means taking her to see a ballet even though he hates it. Girls want to feel like they are important, and sometimes older men just do a better job at making girls feel special.
3. Security: Older guys tend to have their lives together and know what they want. They are done fooling around and are looking for something substantial. I am aware that some girls might be offended by the idea that girls are attracted to guys that can take care of them, but the truth is, some girls like the idea. They want a guy who has a career, car, his own place (he doesn't have to be a lawyer with a penthouse suite), but it's good to know they have a stable life.
Why men are attracted to younger women:
1. Easier to manipulate: I was shocked and appalled at how many guys told me one of the reasons they liked to date younger girls was because they are easier to manipulate and control (just to clarify, it was a common answer but definitely was not felt by all men). Some guys mentioned they take advantage of the fact that girls like older men; they think younger girls are more willing to do things for them. Because of their past experiences, older women are less likely to take crap from guys. It's kind of like that Taylor Swift song, "Fifteen". At 15, when a guy lies and tells you he loves you, you are obviously going to believe him. When you are 25 or 30 and a guy tries to pull the same crap, you probably won't believe him. The older a woman gets the harder it is for a guy to convince her of a lie.
2. Ego boost: It's obvious guys enjoy that they can still get the "pretty young thing." It's not necessarily always true, but it is a common perception that with youth comes beauty, so the most beautiful women are younger. I mean, if you are old and balding, wouldn't you be happy that you can still get the hot 23 year old? Of course you would, and it would make you feel good about yourself that you still have what it takes to attract beautiful women. It also keeps them feeling young because no guy wants to admit he is getting old.
3. Fertility: This might sound a bit strange, but guys usually want to settle down at a later age than women. They like to take full advantage of their youth, but by the time they decide they want a family, women their own age are fertile for a shorter period of time, so with younger women they are able to have more children. Even though they are older, they can still have a big family if they wanted to.
