One of the issues that comes up often in calls is the angst that women experience when dating men who are younger than themselves. Age differences rarely seem to trouble men. If anything they seem to regard it as a status symbol. But for women, it seems to be a real cause for concern. Why is this?

 

For starters, women tend to be more concerned than men about what other people may think. They fear negative reactions from friends and family, and are anxious that they may appear foolish in the eyes of others. There is also the common notion that men are less mature than women, therefore a younger man is less likely to handle the emotional complexities that accompany relationships.

 

Many women have low self esteem. If a younger man takes an interest in them their immediate thought is that it can’t be real, there has to be some hidden agenda on his part. They fear that they are not attractive enough for the interest to be genuine, and suspect him of ulterior motives.

 

Since I come from a family where many of the womenfolk have married younger men, I find it easy to reassure callers that these relationships can work well. Two family members have had long term marriages to men fifteen and eighteen years younger than themselves. Maturity is not about chronological age, but about life experience and willingness to grow together. What other people think is irrelevant.

 

If you are thinking about a relationship with a younger man, take age out of the equation. Assess it as you would any other potential romance, without the additional doubts caused by this irrelevant factor. More and more women are dating younger men. Check it out here:

 

http://www.webmd.com/solutions/sc/relationships/older-women

 

Happiness is elusive. Grab it when you get the opportunity. Don’t let doubts about age differences spoil your shot at a lasting, worthwhile relationship.