So it's 2012, and there's no shortage of people supporting uncommon social conduct. Such as men dating older women instead of the historically set precedent.
To be clear, I'm not talking about a 45 year old man dating a 50 year old woman. No, I'm talking about men who are in their 20s, most likely have no children and dating a woman that might be pushing 40.
Although to be fair, let's look at the most common circumstance of a man in his mid 20s dating a woman in her early 30s. I've seen this most of all and others will agree this is usually the most common younger man dating older woman situation. Without further banter, here's the top 5:
#1. The Biological Clock Is Ticking....and not for the guy
Like it or not, nature hasn't adapted to social trends. Women are most fertile from 20-24, supposedly, but without a doubt once women enter their 30s, the odds drop and quite significantly after the 35 age barrier. Thus women who don't have kids in their early 30s are more than likely thinking about kids and having them quick as oppose to a guy who's 26 and is more than able to provide the goods well into his 40s. This is a sad fact of life and one that usually dampers these type of relationships. Also for anyone who grew up with a single mother, kids do quicken the age process and seemingly most true when it comes to women. So even if you're fine with having a kid, imagine your wife being 45 when your kid turns ten, and she isn't looking too good.
#2. Women Like Maturity...
Well most women, and if you think girls in their teens are demanding of mature guys, what about women ten years older? No matter how adventurous and energetic a guy in his 20s might be, chances are he won't be up to the maturity level of a woman well past the college phase. Obviously people will point to the fact that most of these relationships start because of a young mature man.
However there's really no such thing. Life experience makes a person mature, and a 22 year old guy does not have enough of it. Sooner or later the woman will realize she's dating a boy instead of a man.
#3. Awkward Moments
Yes, all relationships have them, but in relationships where the age gap is significant, they appear more often than not. The main difference between an older man dating a younger woman is topics of conversation. More often than not, women are more in tune with nature and entertainment and guess what, for most men dating a woman who still watches Full House and listens to Pearl Jam might be a tad....out of place. But even more awkward is when older women opt to go with modern day fashions. Let's say you're hanging out with your friends and they're your age and your girlfriend dresses like them....now you WANT her to wear outdated clothes don't you? See this goes back and forth and doesn't make either party too comfortable.
#4. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
In most cases, not the guy. We all know how the career ladder works, most people have to put in the time to climb it. So a guy fresh out of college is rarely going to be more ahead in life than a woman who's had ten years to figure things out. Welcome to the Playgirl Mansion. Some men will love this situation, but many will grow tired and want to be the "man" and that's where it all falls apart, which brings us to #5.
#5. Second Mom
Well, most women have children in their 20s but that doesn't mean dating a woman 16 years older won't get you the odd "Oh are you having dinner with your son? That's so nice to see". Yeah, enjoy that. Remember the whole maturity, life experience spiel? Well that comes into place here as well. Dating an older woman will inevitably lead to "I once did this, it was a mistake, may I suggest you do this, this and this".
Let's face it, guys are not as patient and willing to listen to advice from an older entity, hell women aren't either. So the younger man will inevitably grow insecure about his older girlfriend giving him life advice.
And there you have it. Mind you, there's always a chance it can succeed, but for the reasons above, it probably won't.
To be clear, I'm not talking about a 45 year old man dating a 50 year old woman. No, I'm talking about men who are in their 20s, most likely have no children and dating a woman that might be pushing 40.
Although to be fair, let's look at the most common circumstance of a man in his mid 20s dating a woman in her early 30s. I've seen this most of all and others will agree this is usually the most common younger man dating older woman situation. Without further banter, here's the top 5:
#1. The Biological Clock Is Ticking....and not for the guy
Like it or not, nature hasn't adapted to social trends. Women are most fertile from 20-24, supposedly, but without a doubt once women enter their 30s, the odds drop and quite significantly after the 35 age barrier. Thus women who don't have kids in their early 30s are more than likely thinking about kids and having them quick as oppose to a guy who's 26 and is more than able to provide the goods well into his 40s. This is a sad fact of life and one that usually dampers these type of relationships. Also for anyone who grew up with a single mother, kids do quicken the age process and seemingly most true when it comes to women. So even if you're fine with having a kid, imagine your wife being 45 when your kid turns ten, and she isn't looking too good.
"Life experience makes a person mature, and a 22 year old guy does not have enough of it."
#2. Women Like Maturity...
Well most women, and if you think girls in their teens are demanding of mature guys, what about women ten years older? No matter how adventurous and energetic a guy in his 20s might be, chances are he won't be up to the maturity level of a woman well past the college phase. Obviously people will point to the fact that most of these relationships start because of a young mature man.
However there's really no such thing. Life experience makes a person mature, and a 22 year old guy does not have enough of it. Sooner or later the woman will realize she's dating a boy instead of a man.
#3. Awkward Moments
Yes, all relationships have them, but in relationships where the age gap is significant, they appear more often than not. The main difference between an older man dating a younger woman is topics of conversation. More often than not, women are more in tune with nature and entertainment and guess what, for most men dating a woman who still watches Full House and listens to Pearl Jam might be a tad....out of place. But even more awkward is when older women opt to go with modern day fashions. Let's say you're hanging out with your friends and they're your age and your girlfriend dresses like them....now you WANT her to wear outdated clothes don't you? See this goes back and forth and doesn't make either party too comfortable.
#4. Who wears the pants in the relationship?
In most cases, not the guy. We all know how the career ladder works, most people have to put in the time to climb it. So a guy fresh out of college is rarely going to be more ahead in life than a woman who's had ten years to figure things out. Welcome to the Playgirl Mansion. Some men will love this situation, but many will grow tired and want to be the "man" and that's where it all falls apart, which brings us to #5.
Why Dating An Older Woman Doesn't Work
- She's ready for a family way before you are
- She's way more mature....and always will be
- Generational differences can be awkward
- 'Wearing the pants' - she's climbing the corporate ladder
- She may always want to give life advice
#5. Second Mom
Well, most women have children in their 20s but that doesn't mean dating a woman 16 years older won't get you the odd "Oh are you having dinner with your son? That's so nice to see". Yeah, enjoy that. Remember the whole maturity, life experience spiel? Well that comes into place here as well. Dating an older woman will inevitably lead to "I once did this, it was a mistake, may I suggest you do this, this and this".
Let's face it, guys are not as patient and willing to listen to advice from an older entity, hell women aren't either. So the younger man will inevitably grow insecure about his older girlfriend giving him life advice.
And there you have it. Mind you, there's always a chance it can succeed, but for the reasons above, it probably won't.
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