Why's it that most women see it more of a taboo to date a younger man? One thing i've noticed is that most of these women don't have a cogent reason but they tend to follow the norm of the society. I've bot seen it anywhere or written in a book that the man must be older than the woman in a relationship. So, how young of a man can you date? Afterall nobody complains if an 80years old man marries a 20 years old lady.

I don't know that it's a taboo so much as it is a preference.

There have been a number of women on here who have been very up front about wanting younger guys. And it may go against the outmoded, outdated stereotype, but I would hardly consider this "scandalous" for any thinking person.

Some want younger, some want older, some don't care much either way, and some are more concerned about the person than the raw numbers.

Look around, you'll find all different types here.

You've got some excellent responses here. I'm not sure why you think most women see it more of a taboo to date a younger man. When you skim through the posts though it may seem like that way but you can't change feelings and preferences. I say live and let live.

Well i believe it should be a thing of preference but i've seen some profiles like that, streamlining their chances of geeting a date just because of age differences, hence my post.
The example sited in my post is just to say that it's acceptable in the society for an older man to date a far younger lady than the other way round, but i guess things are changing now

If an 80 year old man were to marry a 20 yr old girl, trust she is not marrying him for his stamina. Some women have various reasons for not dating younger men I don't believe it has anything to do with following what ideas society has about it. It also depends on how big of an age difference. I look at these things when it comes to dating a younger man let's say 20 years my junior, and yes I have had some hit on me.

How mature is he?

Is he looking for a sugar mama, someone to take care of him financially?

What do we have in common? Are our goals, our interest in life similar? I might want marriage and he doesn't. He might want kids and I sure as he!! don't want any more.

How compatible are we?

When I was in my forties I didn't care as long as he was legal. But now I prefer some one closer to my age to grow old gracefully with.

Of course people would complain about that. He would be called a dirty old man and she would be called a gold digger.

You've got to be kidding. Everyone shakes their head, rolls their eye's, will say he's buying a young body and say she is wanting to inherit his money.

This is a personal preference thing. I have an ex boyfriend who was 11 years younger(if it weren't for a few major personality flaws and lies that I caught him in)I had no problem being with someone that much younger. I think most people would use the 10 year rule, 10 years younger or older is about the limit that most would consider acceptable. BUT it is a matter of the preference, are they compatiblem their maturity levels, and if they want the same thing (marriage or not, children, etc.)
And I'm sorry but LOTS of people would complain that some 20 yr old is marrying an 80 yr old. (Anna Nicole Smith) I just cannot see how any two people with that many decades between them could really have anything in common.

Ybcat1 of course they have to be similarities in goals and future plans, and like some have already said it's all about preference. And not all younger men are looking for sugar mama or cougar. You said in your 40s you never bothered about the age difference if it was legal, so why the sudden change in preference? Or are you saying there are no 20yrs your junior that might be willing to grow gracefully with you?

Yes of course people will say that, that's why I said most people tend to do not what they really feel like but what the society had bestowed on them, smh

I've watched a couple on E! TV, although they weren't officially married but this lady had been his girlfriend for 10years. He is 80 while she is 30, and the man's children are all older than she is.
But is it really a bad thing to do dating someone of great age difference? @Indianadave4 can you pls tell me how young can you go in dating a lady?

For me it's easy, I have children and most of the time I am more mature then them, not so much in how I act but just in myself.
I am past doing the things that I did at 18 or 20, yep mentally I am still immature, but my body is not going to want to run around like it did 20 odd years ago.
I enjoy my daughters friends who are in their 20's but I dont want to join in with their madness.
Personally I dont care what people think, but I wouldnt want a man who could easliy be one of my children or one of my childrens friends.

You said he had some personal flaws, and i'm happy that wasn't due to his age. Who set the rules of 10years? I guess it's the people who made up the society and see it as an acceptable way. But i know some society who wouldn't frown at the scenerio of the 80years old man.
I know William Shakespeare's wife was older than him. I thought the saying 'what's good for the goose is also good for the gander shoulder apply in this case'

I believe it's more of a psycological effect on you. Because you might have kids in their late 20s maybe if you had your first kid at 16 but you wouldn't have mind dating a younger man in his late 20s if you have kids in their teens or no kids at all. I believe you're trying not to get your kids furious because of such decision.

From going through some people's experiences, i also think it might be because of insecurity due to the age differences. Because one of the spouse might think because of the age gap, the younger spouse might still be interested in dating from his peer group. Maturity matters, and sometimes insecurity sets in when one of the spouse feels the partners is more advantageous.

Like others have said, it's all about preference. Even a 10 year age difference would be pushing it for me.

For me it depends on if we are just friends or romantic. I will date anyone if it is for friendship, hanging out together. I cannot see me becoming romantically involved with someone less than 45.I feel most comfortable in the 50's for romance.

there are quite a few cogent reasons if you read the threads on the topic that are already on here

but younger is not a complete disqualifier

I have dated younger men

but have found that it takes a certain amount of life experience to not take someone and some things for granted. at least this is my impression so far - no substitute for experience

I don't rule out the chance, however, that a younger man might have more mature qualities than the ones I have date thus far

it's best, I think, to leave things open

For me there is a valid reason for not dating a guy more than 10 years older or younger...we are at complete different places in life, and have different goals, and are probably looking for different things at this point.

I am no longer interested in starting a family. I am looking for a serious relationship, not a fling. Sharing similar interests and maturity level is important as well.

There are cogent reasons, and my ability to discern what a man is looking for has nothing to do with society taboos.

Well matey, i have the hots for two guys in bands, who are at least 37 or older. I can't remember their exact ages. lol. So as far as age is concerned, it isn't always an issue with EVERYONE.