It's really a enduring sign of gender inequality. Women should be able to pursue financial stability for themselves. Instead, they seek it from an older man. It hurts young men also, as many are left out of the dating scene because they haven't found financial stability yet. It takes time to develop a career, more now than ever. Particularly at a time in young men's lives when they feel naturally more compelled to date. I feel that in an egalitarian society the age gap would be much less because women would simply be looking for an equal partner, rather than a provider. Young men and women can struggle to find financial security together and form lasting bonds as a result.