Men and women are subtly drawn to younger partners in blind dating scenarios, defying long-held beliefs about age preferences. A new research from UC Davis says this. A study of 4,500 blind dates, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that after their dates, participants showed slightly more attraction toward younger partners.
This trend was equally evident among men and women.
“Women’s preference for youth is surprising. Societal norms suggest women prefer older partners,” said Paul Eastwick, UC Davis professor of psychology and lead author of the study.
DIVERSE AGE RANGE EXPLORED
Participants, aged 22 to 85, sought long-term partners through the matchmaking service Tawkify. The study examined:
- Blind date dynamics.
- Self-reported age preferences.
- Actual partner attraction.
Interestingly, daters’ upper age limits didn’t align with their actual choices on the dates.
DOES WEALTH INFLUENCE PREFERENCES?
Researchers also explored whether women’s income affected their attraction to younger partners. Some women in the study were wealthy. Nonetheless, income levels—either theirs or their partners’—had little influence on the preference for younger partners.
A GLIMPSE AT INITIAL ATTRACTION
This research focuses on initial romantic attraction during blind dates, not on long-term relationship outcomes.
“These findings suggest youth has a subtle appeal in first-date settings—whether daters realize it or not,” said Eastwick.
RETHINKING DATING NORMS
The study challenges stereotypes that women always seek older partners. It emphasizes how societal expectations may not fully align with human behavior.
By examining real-life dating interactions, researchers uncover how attraction dynamics work when individuals meet face-to-face without preconceived notions.
Whether or not they realize it, men and women both lean toward younger partners during initial attraction. This subtle preference is unaffected by factors like income. It could reshape our understanding of dating norms. This also impacts human behavior in romantic contexts.
Future research may explore whether these early inclinations translate into long-term relationships. For now, this study offers a fascinating look at the complexities of attraction. It challenges the assumptions we hold about age and romance.
