The Shifting Perception of Mature Women Dating

Why is age such an issue when we look at people’s quest for love? We’re not here to tell you age is just a number – measuring your life’s progress can be useful for many things but one area it feels pointless is evaluating human relationships.

For mature women dating, seeing younger men or other partners can still feel stigmatized, but this has rapidly evolved. Outdated perceptions can be difficult to shake even when they’re so patently false. But the only thing that really changes for older women dating is their motivations.

It just comes down to personal preference and respecting the nature of every consenting adult’s journey towards a relationships that works for them. Let’s explore the mature dating scene, what makes it unique and how to find a mature date online.

Why older women dating younger men works so well for some

Mature women dating younger men can be enriching, mostly because both parties go into it knowing what they want and with a distinct notion of what attracts them. Women in these relationships are often attracted to the physical qualities of youth and the energy that accompanies it, including desiring new experiences and not being jaded by life. Men who date older women are often looking for the maturity and grace that come to women as they age, as well as disenchantment with the dating habits of younger women.

We often see these relationships romanticized in popular culture, often in their gentle flouting of convention. However, reverse the genders and we’ll see that any conventions in dating around mature women for younger men amount to little more than sexism.

In fact, these relationships often have potential for long-term success. A 2006 University of Maine study interviewed couples with significant age gaps and found the majority of partners to be happy¹.

Mature women dating value independence

The same study found mature women and younger men in couples often had a less intense approach to dating. Many older single women value being in the moment when dating, which is hard to do when you’ve got one eye on the road ahead. Research from McGill University found loss of independence was the biggest concern for mature women when re-entering the dating pool²

This doesn’t mean they are averse to commitment, just that many view romantic relationships as a source of enjoyment, so they tend to be more comfortable taking it one day at a time and seeing where it goes organically.

Mature women dating through eharmony

A study by Imperial College Business School, commissioned by eharmony, looked into the future of online dating and estimated that by the year 2050, the average age of online daters would be 47³. This is mostly due to the rising rate of adoption of apps by mature women dating when compared to previous generations.  

eharmony is the ideal space for connecting with and dating mature woman, as we focus as much on what’s inside as we do on initial attraction. Our Compatibility Matching System intelligently finds singles whose personalities complement and contrast yours in ways that have been shown to lead to lasting relationships. 

While we focus on relationships, we don’t believe in rushing into things. Our features are all designed to let you take the process at your own pace and really connect with someone, saving you time and energy. 

Relationship dynamics when older women and younger men date

While the physical nature of romance is a big consideration for many mature women dating, successful relationships are as often built on open communication and being curious about each other.

Another thing that fosters a deeper bond in couples, regardless of age gaps, is enjoying mutual interests together. Remember that older women value experiences as much as they do romance in dating.

An obstacle for mature women dating will always be the opinions of those closest to you. Regardless of how misguided, we place a lot of stock in our loved ones’ perspectives.  But you can respect these opinions without accepting them. While they may be born out of concern, they’re often not privy to the dynamics of your relationship and all the subtle ways in which you make each other happy.

Tips for mature women dating online

With so many older singles gravitating to online dating, let’s look at some tips for finding success.

• You can make your profile attractive without being misleading. Outdated photos are a big bone of contention for senior singles so pick recent ones that show off your best side. Include details on what you fill your life with and don’t be shy about expressing your individuality
• When going on mature dates it pays to play it safe. Don’t reveal personal information, always meet in a public place the first time and make sure to inform a friend or family member of your date plans and who you’re meeting
• Pick the right app for your dating goals. If it’s to meet older women or younger men, many swiping apps focus on casual dating, which can be time-consuming if you know what you want. Some apps focus purely on connecting younger and older singles but this can unnecessarily narrow your options. Platforms like eharmony focus on curating but not controlling your online dating journey

But the best tip we can give is to remember to enjoy yourself and try to be open to new things while staying safe.

Make the most of your wisdom and maturity

For mature women dating, there’s never been a better time to use their experience and knowledge to shape a new kind of love life. One that’s suited to your needs. 

For the younger men interested in dating older women, it can often involve a little adjustment to a more mature approach to dating. But this is often exactly what younger singles are looking for when dating someone older. Being open, honest and present is what both sides of the dynamic want anyway. And seeing as this is the ideal mental space for building genuine intimacy and sharing happiness, why not share it?

eharmony can help empower you to not only find singles that suit your tastes and goals but also to make dating a deeper and more fulfilling experience in general. Sign up to eharmony and find out for yourself today.