Is it more acceptable for a large age gap, when the man is older than the woman?

Question

I mean is there a double standard,

man older than woman = okay
woman older than the man = not okay ..

This is a repost.

Answer 1

Two reasons, one economic, the other biology.

Economic -- throughout history, the male was recognized as the provider and protector. A male needed to establish himself and either his skills or his assets in order to provide for a family. A female would bring 'some' assets to the marriage, but it fell to the husband to provide the real support.

Biology -- Male bodies mature later, and take longer. A female may be physically mature at 13, while a male in the same culture may not be mature until 16. In terms of reproduction, a male is able to father children at a much later age than a woman is able to become pregnant, so older men had a better chance of reproducing with young(er) women. Historically, childbirth was a leading cause of death for women, so a male could marry another, in order to continue the family.

These are HISTORY, and PRE-historic facts of economy and biology, but it is interesting that over centuries we still have these same 'instincts' at play.

Answer 2

Things are changing, but when a man dates a much younger woman nobody will think twice about it. The other way around will still raise a few eye brows. I am 38 and was in a relationship with a guy 10 years younger than me for about 5 years.
Since I look much younger most people who didn't know about the age difference would not even notice. Most of the time I did not think about the age gap that much, but would still "secretely" read all the gossip on celebrety women dating younger man. It was almost as if I needed some reassurance that my situation wasn't that unusual and that it was almost "in" to have a younger guy.
Anyway, the relationship did not last (but the age factor was not the issue) and now I just started dating a man that is 10 years older. Can't wait to see how this will continue...

Answer 3

Hmm, I think maybe it's more socially acceptable for the male to be older, but that's only because of standards for the last few centuries or so. Men used to be a lot older than women (32 to, say, 14) when they would take a bride.

My mother's currently 15 years older than her husband, though, and nobody that I know looks down on them.

Answer 4

There does seem to be a social acceptance for this.

However, it doesn't make sense in the "Life Cycle". Women tend to live 5 years longer than the man with the average age of death for men being 75 years of age and average age of death for women to be 80 years of age. So, if a person was going to plan a life where they could both die near the same age (Like movie "Notebook") ... ah, the woman should technically marry a man who's 5 years younger than her.

When I was a "Financial Planner" we sold "Long-Term Care" insurance to the younger WOMAN because of the DECADES she'd have to live alone in her old age. Men wanted it ... but the pitch was he still had his wife to care for his well being through his death and this creates a financial need for the woman to buy the "Long-Term Care" over the man getting it.

Answer 5

This is true because you have always seen this. The older man takes care of the younger woman. I don't know why but people have come to accept this.

Answer 6

age is linked to the dominant role in any relationship. Tribal elder, older sibling, grampa's advice. The man is supposed to be the breadwinner and main provider in a relationship so when a woman is older than him it just goes against the paradigm.
I however almost always get along better with older women.

Answer 7

I don't really care either way, but I have noticed people think it is less acceptable for women to date younger men. I dated a guy less than a year younger than me, and my family made a huge deal about it.

Answer 8

I don't think so, as Long as you are not talking about anyone under age.

I have been very happily married for 10 years and I am 9 years older than my husband. It has worked for us.

Answer 9

Historically this has been the case - but (in my opinion) today the double standard is almost non-existent.

Answer 10

i think of you purely think of in a basically one way. rather, as you reported above, maximum of human beings possibly think of it isn't any longer suited that a guy is oler than a woman in case of couple. besides the shown fact that, it is basically prejudice. for my area, there is any explanation why maximum human beings think of adult men are could desire to be older than women. the explanation is that adult men have a tendency to reign over different human beings. and additionally, they have began thinking adult men are above women as a results of fact the previous. For the effect, while the family contributors is made, this thinking is meditated to the family contributors. Morover, the greater time flows, the greater human beings manage this thinking as a results of fact the custom of a rustic. So, it particularly is obviously acknowledged in societies and widely in international places. one greater tip!!! what's nice couple?? Are adult men older than women??? Absolutlely, NO. in accordance to info, women oftentimes stay longer than adult men. So, it particularly is an outstanding couple that ladies are older than adult men. and additionally, have ever considered a family contributors's image heavily?? normally, adult men are meant to hug their better halves in backside. think of approximately it that ladies encompass adult men in a family contributors's image. possibly, maximum of human beings do no longer see the style of a image. the style of reason is likewise comparable to adult men are mandatory to be older than women.