In most cultures, the norm is that the man is supposed to be older than the woman in a relationship. Even in the West, where people tend to be more progressive, this is still the expectation. However, this has slowly been changing in recent years. Here, we look at 18 reasons why this might be happening.
Emotional Maturity
Older women tend to be more emotionally mature, making them attractive to men seeking stability. It isn’t guaranteed that someone older will have more emotional maturity, but you can’t deny the relationship between age and maturity. The simple fact that an older person has more experience makes them more likely to be mature about situations than a younger person.
Confidence
Times Magazine reports that the best age for self-esteem is 60. As you get older, you realize that the opinions of others have no bearing on your life. Once this realization hits, you get over making decisions based on other people and only think about what you want.
Life Experience
Like we said before, older people just have more life experience, making them more interesting to be around. They have likely traveled more, been in more relationships, and have more interesting stories to tell. When life gets boring and repetitive, having a partner with interesting perspectives can make all the difference.
Independence
Older women have a higher sense of independence, not just in terms of finances. For example, an older woman is more likely to know how to deal with issues like car trouble or insurance than a younger woman. Some men appreciate not having to take care of these things for their partners.
Communication Skills
A relationship can’t survive without good communication. Better Help says, “ Communication is an essential aspect of the development and maintenance of strong relationships, and this is especially true for romantic relationships. Since we can’t read minds, communication helps us to know what another person is thinking or feeling.” As more people realize this, they put it high on the list of things they want in a partner.
Established Careers
A woman with a more established career brings more financial stability and balance to the relationship. This also means they’re more likely to be ready to start a family. On the other hand, younger women are still getting their foot in the door, and family is likely not a priority.
Less Drama
With age, patience for drama decreases drastically. Most people find they’d rather find the simplest solution to a problem than go around in circles. Men appreciate this, and this is why they opt for more mature women. The age of starting drama just for the sake of starting drama is over.
Appreciation for Life
In our younger years, we tend to get distracted by things like clothes, beauty, money, and cars. However, as you grow, you start to realize that these things are just bonuses that come along with the actual gift of life. Men would rather go for a woman who understands this than one who is still going after shiny objects.
Sexual Confidence
More sexual experience doesn’t guarantee more sexual expertise, but in most cases, it results in increased sexual confidence. Simply put, this means that the woman is more aware of what she likes and doesn’t like in the bedroom. This makes everything much easier and has a great impact on the quality of intimacy.
Nurturing Nature
Some believe that older women are more nurturing than younger women. This might not be true in all cases, as older women have more going on in their lives, but it applies. Who wouldn’t want to be with someone who takes time in their day to care for them?
Stability
Older people are generally more stable than younger people, including in finances, emotions, and planning. For example, an older person is less likely to want to pick up and move to a new city than a younger person. This is very appealing to men who are ready to settle down and enjoy their older years.
Shared Interests
There’s a common misconception that opposites attract in romantic relationships but this isn’t true. In fact, Very Well Mind says, “The idea that we are drawn to our opposites is mostly a myth. Sure, it does happen, but most people are attracted to people they share things in common with—and research suggests that similarity is what makes for a satisfying, lasting relationship. ”
Mature Beauty
Most people relate beauty to youth, but we’re slowly realizing that there’s a unique and elegant beauty that comes with age. In many cases, this type of beauty isn’t as fleeting as that associated with being younger. Mature beauty is more long-lasting and doesn’t only consider physical appearance.
Mentorship
Some men want a partner who can not only grow with them but also help them grow more than they would if they were single. It’s therefore not surprising that they choose a woman who has more life experience from whom they can draw advice.
Patience
An underrated skill that comes with age is the ability to pick your battles. Among young people, you’ll find couples breaking up over tiny things like leaving cups in the sink or having friends of the other gender. Older people are unfazed by such small things, which helps their relationships last longer.
Financial Independence
It would be naive to think that finances don’t matter in a relationship. According to The Independent, money is the leading cause of divorce. It’s one of the things you can work on before getting into a relationship, so why not make the best decision possible?
Realistic Expectations
Romantic movies and songs have shaped most women’s expectations of relationships. The big, grand gestures shown in movies are highly unrealistic, and it’s only with age that you realize this. Men are now going after women who understand what’s practical and are fine with it.
Deep Connections
To be with someone forever, you have to have a deep connection with them. This means they know almost everything about you, and you know everything about them. This is the only way you can have a fulfilling relationship that can survive all obstacles. It’s possible to find your person while still young, but it’s definitely much easier if you’re both a bit older.
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