If you really think about this, it makes sense from a biological/evolutionary standpoint. The female role in propogating the species is bearing and rearing children. Younger women are generally more fertile and before modern medicine were better able to survive childbirth (and therefore better able to raise the child). Older men may be better able to provide for a family, or there might be a selection factor in that an older man could be a proven provider rather than a younger man who might or might not become able to provide for a family. I suspect that it's really only in the last 100-150 years that marriages between people of roughly the same age have become the norm.

I should have said "some" men, or perhaps "so many" men. My statement is unfair as it stands. I enjoyed reading all the comments. Thanks.

Do you know why men generally die sooner that women?

Because they want to.

<running and ducking>

I got a chance glimpse of the sweetest thing -- an elderly white-haired couple (over 70?) necking in solitude; he reached down and gave her ass an affectionate squeeze...

I agree....but I've always like younger men.

Quite Honestly, although I have noticed the phenomenon, I have never experienced it. Since I am an oldie, I have to share that my 4 best/longest relationships were with younger men, although I never planned it that way. My first husband was 5 years younger, and when he passed away, my second husband was 12 years younger. At first, I felt that I was too old to go out with him, but he was just so persistent, he sort of wore me down, but in a good way. We were just friends, and would occasionally do things together with our children. No one realized the age difference but me. Twenty years later, we're still married.

Age truly is just a number....having said that, I would say that men enjoy being in the company of attractive women. Younger women tend to have a slight edge in that department (not always, but we're speaking very generally here) so its not surprising that men are drawn to younger women. And if the woman in question is a real "head turner" - well, there's nothing that stokes a man's ego better than that. It's not fair....but it is what it is.

I had never really considered being with a woman younger than I. Then I met a woman who was that honestly has been the best relationship I've ever been in. Sadly we split for an issue that she had experienced in her life previously. But just a few days ago we decided to give it another try and I'm heading back that way soon. But I must add that she for her age. Is seriously more mature than women I've dated who are my age or older. Maybe a cultural thing or something. But if all goes well and I hope it does. I've found the best person ever for me.

I never cared for younger women. Seemed like all they wanted to do was party and go to sporting events. I was on a different path.

I don't know why men like younger women. I personally like younger men for a few reasons. 1. They are healthy. 2. They aren't caught up with all old prejudice men of my age are.
3. They like to do things. Dance, hike, fish, camping. 4. Better in the sheets.
Now I know this isn't true for every one but it has been my experience.

I may not have a popular opinion here but I do think there is a genetically-ingrained Sociobiological imperative that is pretty strong for men who are from 40-60. After that, I'm all WTF are you THINKING? From a purely sex/biology standpoint, men age more slowly than women. From an intellectual/conversational standpoint, not so much.

Me personally, I like men who aren't set in their ways and are young at heart. Could be younger or older than me. But that sounds horribly cliched. And I feel exactly the same way about female friends. Basically just saying the sort of person I'd want to invest a lot of time and energy developing a relationship with.

I typically date older women honestly.

Well most men assume that other men will assume, that a younger woman is attracted to him based on penis size and performance. It really turns out to be the size of his wallet as older men are more successful then their younger counter parts. Six months later he is crying a rivet because he feels no responsibility for his actions nor lack of thought process.

So as a 68 year old male what happens to me? I guess the choices will be an 80 year old woman or celibacy. Hmmm.. 80 it is!

I got nothing to prove, I want a woman my age, I don't want a nurse, I want an old soul wth plenty to live for.

It's possibly an ego thing. Having said that, i surround myself with younger people generally. Perhaps it keeps me feeling young and vibrant. Many of my generation get into 'old mode' ( dress sense, ideas, thinking).

Different strokes & all that I guess. Men my age/older than me don't seem to be interested in me, which is fine. We get along well as coworkers & platonic friends. Men who are 10+ years younger than me have shown interest & have pursued me romantically. I'm fine with that too.

Actually, I prefer women in my own age range

Your perspective focuses on a single dimension: relative age. I suggest that there may well be other secondary, and maybe even primary, drivers in any given relationship, regardless of the age differential. Something to consider.

As a man who does prefer younger women, here's my 100% honest take on it:

Reason 1) Younger people are generally more attractive and, to quote Adam Duritz "we all want something beautiful." Now, of course that's a broad generalization and older women are often beautiful, too.

Reason 2) My greatest fear in life is the death of my significant other. Younger people tend to have more life ahead of them. Again, a generalization, but I figure it's realistic to assume that someone who's younger will be less likely to suddenly die (accidents obviously being the exception).

Reason 3) Maybe it's weird that I'm almost 40 and I still don't know for certain, but the honest confession is that I'm not sure if I want kids or not. Really, I've never dated someone that made me feel certain that I wanted to have kids with them. I have dated a couple women that I absolutely knew that I didn't want to have kids with them. When I'm dating, I'm primarily interested in dating women in their 30's and late 20's because most women in their 40's and older have either had kids and don't want more or don't want kids at all?

So, overall, I guess it's basically just vanity?

Why do you think it's all men ? And what about women ? I tend to date younger myself - just how things work out ...
And as long as minds meet, and all parties are of consenting age - who cares ?

Brings to mind a comment made by Clint Eastwood, when asked about his then, much younger wife, and what he thought about their big age gap ? He replied, " if she dies, she dies "

It really depends on the moment or the phase in one's life. When I was in my late teens and early twenties I likes mature women in their early to mid-thirties. Now I am 63 and I sitll like them.
Several years ago I had two female visitors, both menopausal women. One was about 48 and Japanese and the other about 53 and Taiwanese.
Somehow the conversation deviated into the rapids of precisely the question of preferred age range by men . The Taiwanese said: "I cannot understand why men prefer younger women ..." To which the Japanese very calmly replied: "L. fresh fruit - dried fruit ... Which ones do you prefer?"
I was very amused by this conversation and immediately thought od dried prunes so popular as laxatives.
Sometimes later when I had the rare opportunity to take look into the Taiwanese lady's vagina, I almost felt compelled to raise the issue.
If sex is not an issue, age really doesn't matter.

Status and sex appeal probably count for a lot. I dated a woman who was 14 years younger in my late 30s, but she was very mature, educated and we had great chemistry and communication. Generally I date women within 5 years of my age, but I don't have any set rule.