Why it's okay for one arrangement and not the other is the source of much debate. Perhaps it has something to do with the perception of power; maybe a younger woman is looking for the security that an older man can provide (after all, men do take longer to mature); or maybe it's because that's just the way it's always been.
The reason for bringing this up is that older women dating younger men will often run into funny looks and hushed comments when they are out on a date. That shouldn't stop you from dating someone that you care about, but it is good to be aware that such a reaction can and does happen.
Does any of that matter if the man is younger than the woman? In a perfect world it wouldn't cause any problems and people would only judge the relationship on how much the two people cared about each other. But the reality is that the larger the age discrepancy, the more stares and whispers you will receive.
Nothing says that you have to let it bother you, and you really shouldn't. However, if you have a thin skin it's a good idea to have a few comebacks ready to go for when somebody butts into your business.
That covers the societal implications, but there are also practical things to consider. The larger the age gap, the trickier it may be to find common interests. For example, the older woman may really like to go out dancing to rock and roll, whereas the younger guy may prefer sitting home playing video games, or vice-versa. You may have to make some compromises along the way, and that's okay. The key is to be realistic about finding things to do together. You should both be having a good time, so plan accordingly.
If there is a large age difference then you may be more captivated by the novelty than anything else. That doesn't mean you don't have feelings for each other, but you need to be ready to handle the situation once the novelty is gone.
Another problem that increases as the age gap widens is having a common frame of reference. What that means is that even though you may share some interests, you both may look at them completely differently. This can work for or against older women dating younger men, but it doesn't have to be a major issue if you understand what's going on. Besides, love doesn't discriminate so age is only a problem if you make it one.
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