Three in four women admit they have been chatted up by a younger man, a new survey reveals.
Far from predatory Cougars seeking out youthful playthings, this new study from online retailer JD Williams, reveals sophisticated, older women are proving a magnet for a whole new generation of younger men.
This trend follows a growing number of women staying single longer and more divorcees prepared to date again. Latest official figures* show women are not settling down until an average 34.6 years old, compared with 26.2 years some 40 years ago.
While celebrity couples are often in the spotlight because of an age difference, it has become common for those wanting a relationship to no longer restrict themselves to their own age group, the report found.
Over half of men (53%) questioned for the JD Williams survey said they found older women more interesting to talk to while two thirds (65%) felt that older women were more confident and relaxed. 71% said they were better dressed and more stylish than younger counterparts.
When asked to list other top qualities found in older women, 55% of men said that they liked the fact they were sexually experienced, 42% found them less concerned about themselves, while 37% thought them fun to be with. A third mentioned that older women did not immediately look for a longer term relationship while 22% mentioned the fact they were financially stable.
One in 20 men (5%) also commented that they appreciated a companion who didn’t constantly look at their mobile phone.
When women were asked about the attraction of younger men, seven out of ten (68%) said they felt younger men took themselves "less seriously" than their older counterparts, 59% said they were less materialistic and 41 % said younger men were "fitter".
Five in ten (48%) of single women said they would consider the offer of a date from a much younger suitor while almost one in three (29%) admitted they had been asked out by a man at least 10 years their junior.
One in eight (13%) of women between 35 and 44 claimed to have slept with a man at least 5 years younger, the online survey of 2008 respondents found .
A quarter (26%) of those in a relationship also confessed they had flirted with a younger man to make their partner jealous.
The study follows an increase in high profile couples in the public eye because of an age gap. The new President of France Emmanuel Macron, 39, has a glamourous wife Brigitte who at 64 is 24 years older than him. They have been married for 10 years and together for over 20.
Supermodel Heidi Klum, 43, has been dating art dealer Vito Schnabel, 30, for more than three years, while Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher’s marriage lasted for eight years despite the 15-year age gap.
Director Sam Taylor-Wood and Kick-Ass actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson have a 23 year age difference. They married in 2012 after a three years relationship and now have two children. Madonna, Mariah Carey and Sandra Bullock have also been connected with younger men. Former Victoria Secret Angel Miranda Kerr, 34, recently married Snapchat tycoon Evan Spiegel, 27, and Carol Vorderman, 56, has a new partner who is 49.
Suzi Burns from JD Williams said: “It’s really encouraging that the old traditional "rules" of men only dating women younger than themselves are becoming irrelevant for a new generation of young men. The results of our study show more men are influenced by the strength of their attraction to a woman and for many age is inconsequential. Of course appearance does come into that initial attraction and the fact that our customers who are mainly in the 45 and above age group, take a pride in how they look and have the choice and confidence to know what suits them, means it's not surprising that younger men are drawn to these women.
“Women are keen to build careers for themselves and are waiting longer before they settle down. They will mix with younger people both in the workplace and socially so it’s natural they would also find partners in those age groups.
Our report shows it’s the chemistry between two people that makes a relationship which might develop into something lasting, not which age group you fall into.”
