The simplest answer - in my opinion - is that women date who they're attracted to. In some cases, the person they're attracted to happens to be older. Some women (like myself) simply prefer older men for various reasons. I don't think choosing someone to be with is necessarily about how long they're going to live, but that you simply want to be with that person for who they are.

i am

I think a lot of us who met our men when we were young married or partnered to older men because men DO mature more slowly than women. Most 17 year old woman are more mature than more 25 year old guys, as I see it. (Ducks from everyone from Dwtim, to JR, to Gary to Kindred to Sir etc)

Also, like it or not, a lot of us are attracted to men who are able to support us, (financially and emotionally) especially if we decide to have children. Men older than us are more likely to have a solid means of support, while we, as young women are looking for a man. I know that, in addition to falling in love with the Old Man, had a lot to do with it. "This man is solid. He can keep a job. He works hard. He can fix stuff. He'll take care of myself and our young." I actually think like this.....

Although younger guys tend to flirt with me, I don't think I've ever dated a man younger than myself. I don't quite know why. I've been told I'm kind of "intimidating" so that may have something to do with it, they look, but don't touch, the younger guys.

Since I'm 11 years older than my wife, this is a pertinent issue for us. I probably worry about it more than she seems to. It is common in her family for the man to be older - but as we've seen, life's vagaries do not guarantee that she will be a widow for a long time - indeed any longer than if we we're the same age.

The best I can do is take good care of myself - and her - and do what I can to make sure that upon my leaving that she is able to take care of herself.

I'm 43, and my husband will be 27 in December, so I'm already doing the "cougar" thing.

Even before we met, I've always attracted younger guys for some reason.

Not sure why, but I've really never been attracted to younger men. Not intentionally, it just happens that way. Luckily, my husband is only three years older than me, so it's not a big age difference.

Cougars are all good in my book.. If that's what they're into leave it at that.. Just make sure they're not dating someone under the age of 18.

The fact that my husband is 15 years younger than me does reassure me in that respect. Both my parents died before I turned 30 and I've had a number of other people die on me, so the fact that, barring accident, my husband should live longer than me is real comfort. I know that it is selfish to be glad that he'll outlive me, because he will be left mourning my death. But he is a much stronger person than I am and will undoubtedly be able to cope with my death better than I would cope with his.

I suppose it's better to have loved and lost than to have never loved due to an age difference. I just hope it's worth it

Life expectancy has nothing to do with my preference for older men - their emotional maturity has everything to do with it. But, as I had learned when married, wisdom and maturity do not always come with age.

Well, my mother certainly prefers younger men. xD I don't think that has anything to do with it, though, I think it's more of a wanting to feel younger, mid life crisis type thing...or maybe they just feel young and get along better with the younger guys.