# Guys: how old a woman is too old ? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 11, 2011, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385 "2011-08-11T22:31:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![drewder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/57b2e6/32.png) [@drewder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewder)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2016, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/161 "2016-02-12T03:26:52Z")
> [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](#): > > I signed up for ballroom dancing classes last year. The class was canceled, as there weren’t enough students to make it worth the instructor’s time to drive in from 100 miles away. (I live in a very remote town.) At the introductory, won’t-you-sign-up class, every single male who attended was with his wife/girlfriend, and there were several of us unattached women. A friend in MA says women outnumber men at her ballroom dance class, too. > > I don’t know where men my age are…probably home window shopping on OLD. 🙂 I (man) used to do ballroom in college and there are always more women there than men. Oftentimes to get in the class a woman would have to find a man to sign up with her. ---
**Author:** ![womanadmirer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ac8455/32.png) [@womanadmirer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/womanadmirer)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/162 "2016-10-30T12:31:13Z")
a good red wine is not young, like women as they age they become more appetizing to the palate women that maintain themselves, stay in shape and continue to look and dress in an alluring and attractive way, then their age doesn’t matter. its not about the age its more about when a woman thinks she is no longer attractive. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2016, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/163 "2016-10-30T21:23:59Z")
> [@womanadmirer](#): > > a good red wine is not young, like women as they age they become more appetizing to the palate… As do threads, apparently. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2016, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/164 "2016-11-01T01:14:43Z")
I think it’s a little demeaning or insulting to suggest any woman is too old. Beauty, class, intelligence, poise and sexiness are very different things. Surveys of dating sites suggest men think women in their 20s look better and women prefer men about five years younger than they are after age 40. This metric is pretty useless though, when you measure how much people enjoy a given date looks are surprisingly unimportant – and solid qualities like intelligence, kindness, generosity are also important, which is pretty obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2016, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/165 "2016-11-01T01:22:02Z")
I’m sure there’s plenty of variation, but I’m 41 and were I not extremely happily married would probably not automatically rule out a woman in her 50’s all other things being equal. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2016, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/166 "2016-11-01T07:03:16Z")
> [@Cachick](#): > > I hope by now you have found someone but I came across this thread and had too say something. I’m 53 (but never tell my age) and have young men asking me out all the time! The youngest has been 22. So I don’t think age is a big deal it’s how you perceive age. I do have a bit of a hang up when I go out with young guys and someone asks if they are my boyfriend or son…I’m sure this never happens to men and it’s always men that ask…so there you are with the double standard. Yeah this! I’m 46 (and still damn sexy, TYVM) and not normally attracted to much younger men, but I recently met a 22-year-old I really clicked with. I thought it was a one-night stand but then he asked to see me again. I then thought of it as a FWBs thing but then he said he wanted it to be more. We’re kind of stalled at that, mainly because _ **I** _ feel uncomfortable about the age difference and how it will be perceived. _ **He** _ couldn’t care less about that. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2016, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/167 "2016-11-01T12:48:20Z")
As Sophie Tucker said, it’s a matter of simple arithmetic - 22 goes into 46 a lot more than 46 goes into 22. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/168 "2016-11-01T13:19:25Z")
I wonder if the OP is still suspended? ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2016, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/169 "2016-11-02T19:25:46Z")
> [@womanadmirer](#): > > a good red wine is not young, like women as they age they become more appetizing to the palate. Yes, but to age properly both must be kept in the dark, on their side, at a constant temperature and not shaken up too much. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/170 "2016-11-02T19:52:48Z")
I have no problem \*dating \*women much older than I am, but I do want biological children, so I can or will only \*marry \*women who are still within childbearing age. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2016, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/171 "2016-11-02T21:45:21Z")
Why not marry an older woman and long-term lease some children? ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/172 "2016-11-03T00:32:43Z")
My wife has long, frizzy, graying hair. She was my first forty year old, and I’m looking forward to her being my first fifty year old in April. I’m 52, and I don’t think I’d be looking at anyone under 45 if I were single. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/173 "2016-11-03T01:03:36Z")
Thirty-six. It has been the same answer since I was 5 although I would probably make an exception for Lynda Carter. In all seriousness, I am 43 and this is starting to be a real concern. Forty+ year old women simply don’t do it for me with only a few rare exceptions. I am always dismayed when I am sitting in a meeting wondering how some worn-out, matronly woman could possibly still be married and then I find out she is younger than I am. Before you throw out examples like Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie, let me interrupt you because all I can say is gross! I am not buying the life experience and quality conversation argument either. I actually go out in public and see middle-aged men interacting with their wives in natural habitats like supermarkets, restaurants and malls. That isn’t a hell I would wish upon anyone. I suspect my answer isn’t going to be very popular but it is a real one for me at least. ---
**Author:** ![Saintly\_Loser](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saintly_loser/32/4045_2.png) [@Saintly\_Loser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saintly_Loser)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/174 "2016-11-03T01:24:16Z")
> [@NotDeadYet](#): > > I’ve heard it said that the rule of thumb is the age of your oldest child plus 7. Not such a good rule. My oldest child is not quite 3. I’m 56. So dating ten-year-olds would be the way to go, according to that. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/175 "2016-11-03T04:37:54Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I have no problem \*dating \*women much older than I am, but I do want biological children, so I can or will only \*marry \*women who are still within childbearing age. How do you know you’re capable of creating children biologically-related to you? Will you divorce your wife and look for another if she can’t conceive or carry for whatever reason? That could get expensive fast and eventually people will talk. Are you really saying your intent to procreate is more important than the person w/ whom you hope to parent those kids? If so, skip trying to find an appropriate wife-vessel and just hire a surrogate now. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/176 "2016-11-03T06:01:36Z")
> [@Nawth\_Chucka](#): > > How do you know you’re capable of creating children biologically-related to you? > Will you divorce your wife and look for another if she can’t conceive or carry for whatever reason? That could get expensive fast and eventually people will talk. > > Are you really saying your intent to procreate is more important than the person w/ whom you hope to parent those kids? If so, skip trying to find an appropriate wife-vessel and just hire a surrogate now. I am not the person you are addressing your comments to but your questions aren’t rhetorical. The primary reason to get married is to have children and (historically speaking), unify family resources. The latter isn’t so relevant anymore but kids are. Speaking only for myself, I would dump somebody in a second if they couldn’t fulfill our reproductive agreement. Wives and girlfriends are completely replaceable and somewhat interchangeable, kids are not at least from a father’s point of view. Surrogates are not a suitable substitute. I am happily divorced father of two girls that I adore and I still go to all of their mother’s family functions. We both took them Trick-Or-Treating this week together and I even stay at their house sometimes. We just really hated being married. There is more than one way to make things work. I know my comments sound incredibly sexist but they really aren’t. I would die for my daughters and I love women in general. I just really don’t like American style wives. Once you break up those habits, they are great. However, there is no need to stick with someone if you really want biological children and the person you are with can’t produce them. That goes equally for both sexes. ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/177 "2016-11-03T06:33:51Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I am not the person you are addressing your comments to but your questions aren’t rhetorical. The primary reason to get married is to have children and (historically speaking), unify family resources. The latter isn’t so relevant anymore but kids are. > > Speaking only for myself, I would dump somebody in a second if they couldn’t fulfill our reproductive agreement. Wives and girlfriends are completely replaceable and somewhat interchangeable, kids are not at least from a father’s point of view. Surrogates are not a suitable substitute. > > I am happily divorced father of two girls that I adore and I still go to all of their mother’s family functions. We both took them Trick-Or-Treating this week together and I even stay at their house sometimes. We just really hated being married. There is more than one way to make things work. > > I know my comments sound incredibly sexist but they really aren’t. I would die for my daughters and I love women in general. I just really don’t like American style wives. Once you break up those habits, they are great. However, there is no need to stick with someone if you really want biological children and the person you are with can’t produce them. That goes equally for both sexes. There’s a lot to unpack here, (and you’re right that my questions were not intended to be rhetorical, they’re things many people don’t consider until it’s too late) but right now I want to ask how you’ll feel when your daughters are American style wives who won’t be great until their habits are broken? ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/178 "2016-11-03T14:08:32Z")
> [@](#): > > Wives and girlfriends are completely replaceable and somewhat interchangeable > [@](#): > > I know my comments sound incredibly sexist but they really aren’t. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/179 "2016-11-03T14:21:24Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > :dubious: It isn’t because it goes for both sides. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2016, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385/180 "2016-11-03T20:29:29Z")
**Shagnasty** , please do all women a favor and don’t inflict yourself upon any of us. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/guys-how-old-a-woman-is-too-old/592385.md?page=10)