Older men dating younger women vs. older women dating younger men, is there a difference?

[FierceMegan]

Do you think men are more able to have a successful relationship with women who is significantly (10+ years) younger than them than women who date guys significantly (10+ years) younger than them?

Inspired by this question's answers: Question 554057

It just got me thinking, look at Celine Dion and her husband/manager Renee Angelil, a 26 years age difference and they have been romantically involved since 1987.

Then I tried to think about younger men with older women, and the only ones I could think of that didn't fail was Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell (5 year age difference).

I'm using celebrities as examples because it's a relationship we an all see. As oppose to comparing my uncle or a friend, etc.

As I read some of the answers I noticed that some users said that it wouldn't make for a successful relationship at all. Don't you think there are exceptions to the case? That some people can make it work.

Everyone's lives are different, if someone has experienced adult issues since a child, wouldn't it make sense for them to be with someone older? Or if someone who is older is just purely light hearted and loves to live life and have fun, wouldn't it make sense that they were with someone younger?

My personal view is that age isn't anything but a number. However, I do see exceptions; for instance, if a guy ends up with an older woman who doesn't want anymore children because she has her children and the guy does want children, that could bring up some problems (and vice versus).

I hate when someone says (or something like this), "dating a younger person is just for fun, but nothing serious will ever come of it."

Older Men Dating Younger Women vs. Older Women Dating Younger Men, is there a difference?

[Vyxzuw]

Yes, there is a difference.

For one, children, as you brought up. An younger man dating an older woman has less opportunity to have children than if he dated someone who was younger. (Or at least around his age.)

Likewise, an older man dating a younger woman has more opportunity for children than if he dated an older woman.

This is why there is a bias.

Of course, if neither want anymore children, then it should be less biased.

EXCEPT that woman mature faster than men. (Well, physically at least.)

So, an older man with a younger woman can be at the same maturity level (Older, but not TOO much older.)

On the other hand, an older woman with a younger man, will by default be dating someone less mature than them.

Of course, people mature at different rates, and not everyone goals for a relationship is the same. These are the reasoning for the biases, not justification for them. For any given relationship, it can work if both parties are getting what they want out of the relationship.

(Also, another good couple is Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher.)

[FierceMegan]

I like your answer, but Demi & Ashton aren't doing well. Ashton cheated on Demi, and Demi loves to party hard.

[Vyxzuw]

Hmmm.

I was trying to find an example of a older woman-younger man couple that had a larger age difference than the one you gave.

[FierceMegan]

I know, it is hard to find. I thought of them, but since they aren't doing well I decided to skip it. =\

[likelyOK]

I disagree with the statement the women physically mature faster I would date more men my age if they took better care of them self's and did not wrinkle. I look like I'm 28. I look at most men my age and they don't even bother to die their hair. The ones that work out are usually divorcees or older version of f boys, being peter pan is not hot at certain age.

[WeaponZero]

The only time there's a difference is if they have a goal to start a family, due to the fact that a woman only has a roughly 20 year window (at most) to work with if she wants to be able to get pregnant and give birth to healthy babies, while a man has all of his life for that.

[kimmy28]

It's all in the people involved...I don't think the divorce rate is any higher because of age differences. If anything most of couples are close in age who separate. Gay couples separate, older/younger couples separate. Mixed race couples do as well. Examples of couples who are older/younger are

BARBARA HERSHEY, 60 & NAVEEN ANDREWS, 39 (lost) he's been with her since he was 22, RACHEL HUNTER, 39 & JARRET STOLL, 26, CARRIE ANN INABA, 40 & ARTEM CHIGVINTSEV, 26 (she is from Dancing with the stars and has been with him for 6 yrs), MARIAH CAREY, 39 & NICK CANNON, 28 (they have been together since he was 21)

It takes a lot more to make a relationship than an age. Yes, it can play a factor in other aspects but there is no relationship out there than doesn't come without difficulties.;;;just my thought

[OrionRose]

Here are some famous couples with an age gaps (older woman, younger man) who work out just fine:

Julianne Moore and her husband; 9 years age difference

img2-2.timeinc.net/.../julianne-moore-240.jpg

Hugh Jackman and his wife; 13 years age difference

1.bp.blogspot.com/.../jackmanwife.jpg

Robin Wright and Ben Foster; 14 years age difference

i.dailymail.co.uk/.../...600000578-160_634x689.jpg

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky; 7 years age difference

assets-s3. usmagazine. com/.../... lsa-pataky-467. jpg

Tina Turner and her Swiss sweetheart; 16 years age difference

thejasminebrand. com/.../...3-the-jasmine-brand. jpg

[OrionRose]

Sorry last two links didn't work:

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky; 7 years age difference

assets-s3.usmagazine.com/.../...lsa-pataky-467.jpg

Tina Turner and her Swiss sweetheart; 16 years age difference

thejasminebrand.com/.../...3-the-jasmine-brand.jpg

[TaraNirvana]

Personally, I think it makes sense for older women to go with younger men because men usually die younger than women by about 10 years.

Older women don't attract younger men because they are usually too mature for them and take life too seriously.

Regardless of age, most men are still young at heart which is why they are attracted to younger women. You see more of older men by 10-20 years with younger women than the other way around.

There are exceptions, of course. Younger men may be attracted to older women if they are still attractive and young at heart like them. Unfortunately, there aren't many of them.

[jimmy217]

i think in general older men and younger woman would work better because woman look for more serious relationships at a younger age then men. I'm not saying this is always the case though. If their personalities are compatable then nearly any age difference would work out whether its the older male younger female or older female and younger male.

[FierceMegan]

I like your answer, it's diplomatic. :)

[jimmy217]

lol iv never had anyone describe somthin iv said diplomatic

[FierceMegan]

it was to me. =)

[dodgersmom11]

id personally go for older men.younger women, of course, that's what I am aiming for in my life so I am bias

i don't want kids and he doesn't either anymore and we have a ton in common and get along amazingly well. I feel we are on much more even level then I am with men younger than me or super close to my age

[mike5150]

Despite having older women show interest in me it has always been an understanding that women for the most part do not want to date younger guys. They want a guy that matchs there maturity level so they will date someone older.

[FierceMegan]

Did you click on that question in my answer?

[mike5150]

what question?

[FierceMegan]

lol, read my detail box, and click the question number silly. =P

[mike5150]

where is the detail box?

[FierceMegan]

Where the details are. =\

[mike5150]

Thought that was the description :P

[FierceMegan]

same thing =P

[mike5150]

Not me it ain't I am simple minded :D

[FierceMegan]

LOL! Silly boy! =P

[mike5150]

Fierceness ;)

[FierceMegan]

lol :P

[mike5150]

:P

[Anonymous4Ever]

Older successful woman like going after young studs. =) It not the best situation to be in for a guy with self respect.

[FierceMegan]

Maybe, maybe it is because that is all they can find because successful men can't handle successful women. =P

[Anonymous4Ever]

Not too sure about that. =P

[Reviresco]

Maybe in some cases but not all. I was in a relationship for 3 years with a guy 11 years younger than myself. We got along extremely well (same sense of humour, outlook, philosophy, etc) and it wasn't all about the sex (although that was pretty good too :). Unfortunately people tend to judge on age gaps. Age is just a number - it really depends on the connection I think.

[likelyOK]

not always true but I do think that exchange theory does come into play here. So your observation could most definitely be happening, just like when older men date younger women, it's usually because these guys have more social status, money etc, the women have the youth and are more likely to be attractive. In my case younger men have ALWAYS hit on me. The guys I date are cute by no means studs though and almost all are like 10-15 lbs over.

[steveusna]

Honestly, an older successful woman can have a one time fling with a younger guy. If she wants to convert a fling into a public relationship, she will have to make some serious investment. She should take him to a great restaurant and pick up the check. She should plan a weekend getaway and get the room and tickets. A woman cannot be 20 years old and expect to be treated like a princess who is 20 years younger than her male lover. She can have a bite at the apple but she cannot have the entire apple without paying for it