Looking to Date a Younger Man?

Are you recently divorced and ready to get back in the dating pool again? Or maybe you're sick of dating guys your own age, or getting hit on by older men. Either way, you find yourself more and more attracted to younger men - whether it's the college student who lives in your building or the young bartender who works down the block.

We've heard the term "cougar" and it conjures up images of desperate housewives looking for excitement. But often this is not the case - when two people meet, even if they don't seem a good match, sometimes the chemistry is there and you want to pursue it.

But what does dating a younger man really mean? And more importantly, can you both make it work?

First, I think it's important to establish the kind of relationship you are looking for. Some women aren't interested in a long-term relationship, especially if they have just been through a transition like divorce. If you're dipping your toe back in the dating pool and not looking for anything serious, then dating a younger man might be a great option.

If you're looking for marriage or commitment of some sort, and you tend to gravitate towards people who aren't, then you might want to re-think your strategy. While you find younger men appealing physically, and perhaps more fun to be around, are they really good relationship material? Chances are, if a man is in his twenties, he's less interested in commitment and more interested in checking out his options.

While obviously not all young men are the same, I think it's true that many are more interested in exploring what's out there before they commit to anyone in particular, especially an older woman. A young man might think an older woman is interested in getting married and perhaps even having children right away, regardless of whether or not it's true, and be a little scared of forming a real relationship.

I think there is a double standard when it comes to dating younger. If you're an older man dating a younger woman, it's generally more acceptable for the friends and family around you. However, there are still stigmas attached to women dating younger men. Don't let other people's attitudes determine who you date - it's up to you to discover what works for you.

I encourage people to date outside their normal "types" - so why not date a younger man? But I also caution you to know what you want in a relationship, and make sure you're both on the same page. Instead of assuming you know what each other might want, it's good to actually discuss, sooner rather than later. It will be better for both of you in the long run. You might be more in sync with each other than you think.