I've been married for around 20 years. My wife is 3 years younger than me. I've almost always dated women my age or younger. They were always within 5 years or less. I don't think I was seeking out women that were easy to control (the women I dated were independent regardless of age). I don't think I even purposely sought younger women. In fact, I dated women who initially demonstrated interest in me, not the other way around. Aren't women generally the choosers? So, why do women date older men?

To be fair, this was in my twenties and thirties. If I became single today, I still feel like I would seek out women within 5 years of my age. Maybe even 6 or 7, but no more than that. I feel like women that are further from my age (younger or older) would be in a different stage of life and difficult for me to relate to.