Hi all, I'm new to this, am pretty confused, and have a bunch of questions.

My first question is, do women prefer older men? Detail below:

I am looking to start a relationship with someone my age (41). I think I've probably seen close to 300 profiles in the past three weeks. While women my age include my age in what they are looking for, their age range shown heavily favors older men (often +10 years or more).

Looking at profiles of women about five years older than me, I see the same trend. And again, looking at profiles of women about five years younger than me, I see the same trend.

Adding to the confusion, a woman I know who is almost my age IRL who has been using online dating for over a year told me she mostly receives messages from men +10 to +20 years older, but she wants to meet someone her age. Granted, that's just one person's experience and view, but it doesn't help with my confusion.

And to be fair, I AM making an assumption. If someone has an age range starting at their age -5 at the low end, and their age +10 at the high end, I'm assuming there is a preference for older men.

Any insights? Thank you!

Hello I actually prefer older men but it seems on this site a lot of younger men 8years and younger tend to message me more than the older guys they think I’m younger lol age really isn’t an issue for me as long as they are not too young! But I prefer older but I take everyone by a case by case approach....anyway just my tidbit on the matter

Most people, and that includes women, "prefer" to hang with people around their own age, plus or minus a few years, with pretty close life experiences, tastes, activity levels, and political views. Some folks, and that includes women, prefer to be with people much younger than themselves, wanting to be the dominate partner or mother or father figure. Or they are just looking for arm candy. Some people, these also include women, look for someone much older than themselves. Again the mother father issue, or with the idea that that person is going to die sooner and leave him/her with a large wad of cash.

In conclusion; to each there own. Got it?

if they have been of honest love until death, why wouldn't i want to reward her any way i can...even if I could take the money with me...

Trying not to say too much. Be very careful of many of the profiles you find here. Take everything you see written in many profiles here with a grain of salt.

Here In the UK most marriages taking place are between people with not more than 5 years in age difference, see:- http://www.onaverage.co.uk/age-averages/average-age-difference-between-couples

Most people are looking for someone in the same or similar age group, so you should find someone in your age group that is looking for a serious relationship.

Welcome to Mingle2 and good luck in your search.

All women are different. Some prefer them older, some prefer them younger, some prefer them the same age and with some, it doesn't matter.

It really depends on the woman and depends on the site?

Women depending on what they are looking for if she is in her 30's and looking to start a family her age limit is usually 5 to 7 years older to 5 to 7 years younger.

If she has kids , divorced, she might be looking for someone older but wont rule out her age.

and then you have cougars, no need to explain.

as in for dating sites? the free ones attract all sorts from scammers to spammers to whack jobs and a low percentage who is actually serious.

Free sites that has Forums tends to have more real people on the forums vs the dating side.

Your best bet if you are really serious is finding a site that caters to what you're looking for and you might have to buy a membership.

If you plan on staying on this site have realistic expectation, as in maybe less than 10% are solid and stable people , the rest just kick them to the curb

Im not sure if that helped?

I wish you good luck on here.

Some do, some don't.

<<<<< This woman... not looking for older man

not a lot of older men in my age group. many are dead or soon to be dead.

I prefer 2 years younger to 5 years older. The problem I'm having is I'm not as attracted to 5 years older anymore. I'm more attracted to the 2 years younger.

Maybe you should wonder what kind of women you are looking at? Maybe it's a certain type?
I don't know anyone who specifically likes men that are that much older. No one. I have one friend who ended up with a man 23 yrs older last year, but she was not -and never has been- looking for a man that much older. It was sheer coincidence.

Most women I know do want an older man, but not that much older, more like max 5 -7 yrs older.
You see the same thing with girls age 15-16 falling for guys some 19 yrs old. This has to do with the difference in emotional maturity in men and women and this remains that way throughout life. Women are more mature than men the same age, regardless what age group you look at.
Exceptions to the rule do exist of course, but generally speaking the above is true.
I feel that the gap in (emotional) maturity between the sexes is largest in from 40-50. From 50 up it seems to get a tad smaller. A tad.

But for single women in their forties to find a good man (emotionally mature) their age - max 5 yrs older is as good as impossible.
One could seriously call that 'mission impossible'.
If you then want a man who matches you, you gotta look for someone around 58. Well, no disrespect, but when I was 46 I was NOT looking for someone that old.
And the women I know are the same, so no way looking for a guy 10+ or 20+ years older.
Maybe it's the type of women you feel attracted to.

Only younger

Thanks for that note Rose, I guess I should start pre planning my funeral.

Dude, first thing I didnt know Rosie and I live in the same city
second she is older than you bud.

And I dont blame her as Ive seen someone the men in our city, all you have to do is go down to Beaches area or even Yonge street, and you will see a lot of them, they are lazy and look like they have one foot in the grave.

That doesnt mean she is talking about the likes of you.

i agree with u and ur opinion its the right one and the correct one thanks about it

I know older men prefer me! Why should I take a guy old enough to be my Daddy when I can get a buff stud my own age? There's only one reason. Daddy has more money.

Speaking for myself, I prefer to date close to my age, within 5 years of my age. I've never dated anyone younger than me. I find the guys that want to date me are 15 to 20 years older. That's not what I'm looking for.

I prefer someone younger than me, but not much more than ten years

oh mo, sorry sorry. just kidding

NOOOO we do not want older men!!! So stop bugging women that are 20+ years younger. The younger women I work with are all sick of older men contacting them too! Zero attraction...and if we work we don't want your money!!!