Psychology In The News | Preferring Younger Partners

Recently released research has challenged conventional wisdom about age preferences in romantic relationships. Analysing data from over 6,000 blind dates (all of whom used a matchmaking service to find a potential long-term partner), the research found that both men and women tended to rate younger potential partners as more desirable. This finding is particularly striking given that globally, married men are on average four years older than their wives, with age gaps ranging from under three years in Europe and North America to over eight years in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research directly challenges evolutionary psychology theories which suggest women have evolved to prefer older male partners who can provide resources and status, while men prefer younger women due to their higher fertility and reproductive potential. The study's findings suggest these supposedly innate preferences may not be as fixed as previously thought, at least for women.

The researchers identified several potential reasons why women typically end up with older men, even though the study shows they initially prefer younger partners. First, while younger men might seem attractive at the first meeting, their immaturity may create problems as relationships develop. Second, in many societies, men simply have more power to choose partners according to their preferences. Third, the structure of the dating pool itself creates age gaps: men often start dating later because they mature more slowly, while older women frequently opt out of dating altogether, often to avoid becoming caregivers or financial supporters (what the researchers call being ‘a nurse or a purse’). The researchers also found that in societies with greater gender equality, the age gap between partners tends to be smaller, suggesting that these patterns are influenced more by social and cultural factors than by innate preferences.

It is important to note that the effect found in the study was relatively modest, with daters preferring the younger of two potential partners about 55% of the time. The researchers suggest that if more people were open to relationships where women are older than men, such couples might become more common, though the article notes that dramatic social changes in dating patterns are unlikely given the subtle nature of the preference they discovered.

References: Both men and women prefer younger partners, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/sc... (accessed 30.1.25)

P.W. Eastwick, E.J. Finkel, E.M. Meza, K. Ammerman (2025) No gender differences in attraction to young partners: A study of 4500 blind dates, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 122 (5) e2416984122 https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/...

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS!

1. According to the research, what was the surprising finding about age preferences in romantic relationships, and how does this contrast with global marriage patterns?
2. What percentage of time did participants in the study prefer younger partners, and why do the researchers consider this effect ‘modest’?
3. The study challenges evolutionary psychology theories about partner preferences. Explain what these traditional theories suggest about both men's and women's preferences and how the new findings contradict them.
4. What potential limitations might exist in using blind date encounters compared to studying established relationships or other forms of dating?
5. What methodological strength does this study have in terms of ecological validity?

Challenge / Discussion task: ‘Social factors, rather than biological preferences, are the primary determinants of age differences in romantic relationships.' Using evidence from the research discussed in the article, evaluate this claim.