They have money. They are hot. They do not want kids and they know how to treat a woman. You are tired of dealing with immature relationships and decide to go for the most gloried and controversial thing on the internet. An older person. Whether it is sugar daddies or sugar mommies it is clear being with an older person is the new trend.
For younger people, the attraction lies in the so-called wisdom and money the older person may have. When compared to younger prospects money is quite the alluring quality. Older people are seen as financially safe, and mature.
So why is this topic coming up again if it has been happening for years on end?
Gen Z has often taken the time to criticize age gap relationships and look back on the predatory behavior that comes from it. Especially the difference in power dynamic.
The power dynamic between the older person often takes a toll on the younger person and leaves them with memories of a traumatic relationship that affects them for years.
What was once seen as creepy and weird is now experiencing a resurgence in dating.
Age-gap couples are now shown in the media with movies and Tiktoks. With things like sugar babies and sugar daddies over taking the scene. It is now seen as better to get in kahoots with an older person because of what they can offer in the relationship.
Celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio and his relationships with people specifically under the age of 25 have become a main source of entertainment for teens and adults alike.
While being the young one in the relationship brings the pressure to stay pretty and be the trophy “wife” to the guy can become overwhelming. The effort to seem more mature can often lead to overthinking. While the older people may face criticism and judgment or may be called pedophiles or the young people will be seen as gold diggers.
A UACHS student, who has asked to remain anonymous, gives their opinion on dating with an age difference.
“Dating someone who is older than you can sometimes turn out pretty bad for you; they are more mature while you are still developing, so I would not advocate it,” said Anonymous. “Although I tend to gravitate toward older folks since they treat you better than those your own age, I would not advise it because occasionally they take advantage of it.”
While age gaps are not something new in the dating scene it is becoming more criticized with the new generation of young people finding it weird and considering it as grooming.
Overall it is clear age gaps will never stop being a thing in society. Attraction is something that cannot be helped.