boys and men.

What is it about older men that attracts us young ladies so?

Aaand.. story time! I have a number of stories that exhibit this trend..

Very nearly Halloween of last year, I found myself staring into the eyes of a dream. Choose to believe these words or not: this man was Jude Law (minus the stubble, which was definitely a downgrade from the real Jude Law, but still..).

Let it be known that Jude Law is my favorite actor--this having nothing to do with his acting abilities, but really just based on two facts: he is the most attractive man alive and he has a heart-melting English accent.

My dream turns out to be 27 years old. Oh, and I find out later he has a 3-year-old son. Talk about complicated. Here is the question: was this guy really that much more attractive than any 18-year-old I have seen? Or was it his age that left me breathless? Or even more pathetic yet, was it the messiness? I don't want to be attracted to complicated, but it seems inevitable. My relief is that I am not alone in this struggle--I know this for sure.

So, I follow this one girl's blog--The Vegan Anti-Hero (love her!) And this girl constantly is with men twice her age (..making them fifty, which does creep me out a little, but who am I to judge? Where will I be in ten years?)

Another example: I have a close friend who is actually in a relationship with a 28-year old.. and she is 19! This situation brings on new questions in itself: like what is he doing with her? I don't mean this as a disrespect to my girlfriend because she is the best and Any guy would be lucky to have her. But this is no guy, he is a Man.

I do have a theory. Guys are immature. Again, no disrespect--it is a quality I love about guys because I am immature myself. Males, at any age, are generally less mature than females of the same age. So they end up searching younger. My friend is uncomplicated, fun, loose and perfect for this man approaching his thirties. I'm making it sound like they can't have a deep and meaningful relationship, but that's not what I mean. Even their conversations can not be so complicated and difficult. Girls my age are easy (and I don't mean that sexually..necessarily.)

Yes, I realize there is a level of "cougar-y" present out there, but it definitely is less prevalent.

Another theory I have is that female students tend to be attracted to teachers, professors, and T.A.s because they like the idea of their mate being able to protect them and teach them. They like being inferior and getting taken care of (yikes.. also very sad). But I hope this is what can be my excuse for having a slight crush on my Ultra-nerdy Physics TA.. =)

My conclusions...

Boys--Don't worry about being immature.. it is just what the world needs.

Girls--Don't worry about checking out older guys. It's okay. She's doing it too.