younger or older

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2002
younger or older
8
Fri, 09-15-2006 - 11:24am

Kinda taking a survey.... Younger or older. Do you have a preference? What's the difference? Pros? Cons?

I'm 34 and have dated both younger and older guys. When I was in my teens and early 20s, I always dated older because of the maturity level of guys vs girls. But after hitting 30, I seem to date younger. And kinda don't know the benefit to dating anyone over 35. So I'm looking for opinions. Please share, thanks.

Loonybunny

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 09-17-2006 - 11:50pm

Hummm.... I sort of have this "ideal span" that I'm kind of looking in... around 33ish to around 45ish... give or take a couple of years, but the guy would have to really be mature and settled for me to dip below that 33 mark.


Karen ~ wildlucky4me ~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 10:15am

I used to be all for younger, now I am all for same age to 5 years older...
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2006
Sun, 09-24-2006 - 2:47am

I did young and immature for 19 years. He was only a year older than me, but emotionally a 16-year old.

I have dated men older than me so far. The ages range from 10 years to (yikes) 22 years. Is it true that older means more mature? My X2B has shown me that is false. Why do I go for older? Perhaps it's because they seem more focused. And they are finally serious about their careers. But that could just be the select few that I've chosen to date.

Wow, what a great question!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2006
Thu, 09-28-2006 - 10:55pm
I definitely go for peers, within 4 yrs of my age either direction. Current BF is 3 yrs older, biggest age difference yet for me. I guess i find i just don't have a lot in common w/ men much beyond those age limits, different experience growing up, different goals, different place in life.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-30-2004
Fri, 09-29-2006 - 6:04am

I'm 36 and my BF (of 6 months) is 46. The age difference works for me though he thinks that my age is pushing the limit of his cutoff. We're both divorced with kids so have a lot in common that way and we're both NOT into the party scene. He just seems more emotionally available than a lot of men. My ex H is 7 years older than me and during our marriage he was always emotionally distant unless he wanted something.

I like that fact that he's older and more settled in his life. Once our kids are grown (in 9 years, yikes) we'll potentially have a whole new life. I'm taking it super slow for now.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2002
Mon, 10-02-2006 - 4:33pm

Thanks for everyone's input... Maturity and focus are good reasons to date older guys. I like younger guys for their energy and optimism. I suppose if I meet someone mature, focused, energetic, and loves life... it won't matter what age he is...

Thanks again for the input. I'll keep you all updated as I find out more during this dating adventure. BTW, the young guy I'm dating is beginning to show his immaturity (loud music and video games) and lack of focus (no career plan). But he is refreshing because he's not complicated and not suspicious. He lives in the moment and doesn't looked stressed out.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2006
Tue, 10-03-2006 - 12:53pm
when I posted my profile on the internet I chopped off five years of my age because I am always told I look ten years younger and figured I would admit to my real age once I found someone interesting.( which I always did and they had no problem with it..).this was three years ago..I'm 53 now and my boyfriend is 50,,neither one of us looks it..and we both "lied" about the age..I thought I was going to get a 45 year old...that was pretty funny to us...I guess at the time I really wanted a younger guy because I act much younger and dance the twenty year olds into the ground etc and could keep up real well with a younger man...a guy that was 38 had no problem with my age either...but now we've been together over a year and a half and it doesn't matter anymore...it matters to me though to have to admit I'm three years older and I always feel that why would he be with me when he could easily "snag" ( and I think he did once) a thirty something chick cause he still looks really good for his age...he always tells me I'm more beautiful still than a lot of younger ladies...great he's being kind...but if I was younger then I don't think I'd ever go for a guy more than three years older than I and maybe five years younger..now I'd like one ten years younger if I ever break up with this one LOL!!!!
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2006
Thu, 10-05-2006 - 1:32pm
Hey whats wrong with video games? I say about 5 years difference is okay. I'm 23 and I'm still trying to figure out which way I'm going. I'm at a stage when I have some confidence in myself and abilities. I know what I want in life and I know who I am. Everyone matures at different times and sometime age doesn't have much to do with it.