I never realized certain age gaps posed a subconscious turn off in relationships until recently. Now, I am not talking about dating minors because that as we all know is illegal, disgusting and of course, perv-y. I carried out a survey where I asked women their thoughts on dating and settling down with a younger man. I was surprised at the reactions and responses I got.
There definitely is a stereotype that dating a younger guy makes you a ‘sugar mummy’ which is so untrue because it makes the mental image of being with a younger guy, warped. It goes without saying that societal expectations of what a “good match” should look like plays a key role in how women view relationships with younger guys. We tend to associate older men with being mature, more masculine, better providers and by virtue of these qualities, we tend to see them as generally more appealing and attractive.
Biology has taught us that women mature a lot faster than men. Therefore, the desire of some women to be with older guys is understandable. However, is it fair to automatically rule every guy younger than us as immature without giving them a chance to prove themselves? I asked some of the 21 Magazine Team Members to share their honest thoughts and opinions on dating younger men, here’s what they had to say.
Annabel | Content Writer
I have not dated anyone younger than I am. However, what would be my ideal age difference if I were to date a younger guy will certainly be a year younger, at the most. I would not mind being with someone slightly younger than me. I mean… it should be kind of fun. He is a baby boy and baby boys’ give a different vibe. I do not think I would be willing to date one long term but for the vibes, it may be fun to mess around with one.
Blessing | Content Writer
A younger man is a turn off for me. I want someone more experienced than I am, who knows more than I know in every regard. This puts younger men out of my demographic. Besides, younger men are often all about having fun and sowing their wild oats around. I am not about to be a casualty in the ‘sowing of wild oats season’ of a 25- year- old. Call me when you are thirty and interested in some emotional stability and loyalty.
Bibi | Content Writer
I have met guys who are younger than I am but quite mature and well put together. As far as I am concerned, it all depends on their maturity and carriage. If you are younger than I am and extremely petty and immature, then it is a big NO, but I am open to dating *mature* younger guys.
Chisom | Content Writer
The guy I dated was younger and mature for his age. He was honest about how he felt and what he was expecting out of a relationship. It ultimately depends on the person.
Oreoluwa | Content Writer
I cannot do it! Yes, there is a line of thought that maturity is not about age but if we are being honest, most men will embarrass you and younger men just give room for more embarrassment. What I can do though is date someone who is the same age as I am. I kind of like the idea. In addition, dating younger men just gives off this sugar mummy vibe and I am not ready to be called anyone’s sugar mummy, please.
Wendy | Content Writer
I have not dated a younger guy, but I am also not opposed to it. With that being said, I prefer dating guys within my age range because I believe we can relate with each other better and we would have more things in common.
Ella | Content Writer
I want to be on the same mental wavelength with someone I am with and mental maturity is not about how old you are. The truth is, I prefer older guys if I am being honest. It is a safe bet that they would have more sense compared to younger guys.
Mide | Content Writer
The youngest age range I can do if I were to date a younger guy, would have to be six months max. I have never dated someone younger than me, maybe when I’m much older I wouldn’t be opposed to it. I am what you would call ‘young at heart’. I do not enjoy spending time with older people. I am also very wary of dating older men as well. The power dynamics and everything else is a bit too much for me. I had a bad experience with an older guy I dated and after that experience, I basically run from men that are much older than I am. A 2-3-year age difference is fine by me. I want somebody I can fool around and do stupid things with.
As For My Preference
At the risk of sounding cliché, for me it has to be older men but within reasonable age difference. I do not think you can help who you connect with, but a preference is a preference at the end of the day.
After giving this topic some thought I concluded the saying, ‘age is nothing but a number when it comes to love’ simply is not satisfactory when it comes to love and age gaps. There is so much more that goes into building a mature and stable relationship and it depends on both individuals. It takes a lot of love, work, maturity and commitment to build a healthy and stable relationship regardless of the age dynamic. And no, dating a younger guy does not make you a sugar mummy regardless of the stereotype. We are all entitled to our own opinions and as I said earlier, a preference is a preference. However, it is good to keep an open mind. The popular idiom ‘one mans’ meat is another man’s poison’, is the best way I can describe the debate for the preference between dating younger or older men.
