Myths surrounding men who date younger women

Relationships are viewed on many different levels but what stands out amongst many people is that men should be with younger women.

In the African setting, most of our parents have a three to five-year age gap whereas in this case, our fathers are obviously the older ones.

However, this younger woman-older man dynamic is one that has been debated for some time now. With the growing number of divorce cases and broken relationships all over the world, people have started to question if some of the things they know about love are wrong.

More so when it comes to age. Is it just a number or does it play a crucial role in the dynamics of a relationship? Let's find out:

Different preferences

The assumption that everybody must fit into this mould is absurd. All human beings have been squashed into one category which is often not the case. Many successful couples involve a younger man-older woman dynamic, same-age couples and others involve people with bigger age gaps than society is used to.

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What is of importance is that both parties are of legal age and are not being forced into anything. Adults have the right to have personal preferences.

Age and maturity are not equal

The traditional status quo suggests that the man should be older because he'll automatically be able to be the solid figure in the relationship. In a utopia type of world, all men would be solid and mature enough to hold their relationships together. Girlfriends and wives would all be able to feel secure, loved and respected for as long as they are with an older man.

In reality, some men who are well into their 30s and 40s still act childish. In such cases, their younger partners end up holding the weight of the relationship so that it doesn't fall apart. Because of this, the myth that older men will always be mature is clearly debunked.

True couples learn from each other

Older women in relationships with younger men and other unconventional relationships usually have a lot to offer. Men who prefer older women are in agreement that they are more focused in life, more mature and dedicated when it comes to long-term relationships. The women, end up learning that their partner is not as immature as they thought they were. In short, other dynamics also have their advantages that win many people over. Regardless of who's older, there is a lot you can learn from each other.

The world is changing

The world is constantly changing and becoming more open to new perspectives. With more examples of successful men with their older wives, society is becoming less rigid in its expectations.

Famous couples such as Jason Momoa and Lisa Bonet or even Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra, have paved the way for unconventional relationships. The world is slowly accepting that the usual dynamics might not be the only way to have a strong relationship.

Gender role bias

Society has always had it that the man should be dominant and in charge when it comes to relationships. Based on this bias, the man is expected to be the older one because it's a symbol of dominance. Unfortunately, many have used this as an excuse to manipulate and abuse their girlfriends. With the onset of women empowerment, gender roles have been revised and women are not allowing themselves to be put down. They have awakened and are now vocal about what they expect from their partners which in all truth is only fair.