Articles & Advice

Just like a fine wine, men can possess an even greater appeal as they age, say many women. What is so scintillating about a man who is over 50? Consider the opinions of these women who'd take a 50something guy (or older) over a 20something any day.

Weather man
"I love a guy whose age has given him that rugged and weathered look, like he's been around the block a few times. Give me a sexy Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford over Brad Pitt any day! Those laugh and squint lines give a man's face character. To me, there's nothing sexier."
-- Diana, 49, Coral Springs, FL

An executive decision
"I am always tremendously attracted to guys who have achieved a certain degree of professional success -- you know, ones who are at or near the tops of the ladders at their places of work. In general, these guys are almost always in their 50s or 60s, because it's in your younger years that you have to pay the dues to get to that place. There's just something sexy about seeing a man so powerful and so in control of large-scale decision-making; it always turns me on!"
-- Penny, 44, Charlotte, NC

A class distinction
"In my experience, I find that older men almost always exhibit good date behavior; they just have so much more class than younger men. I've never been on a date with a guy over 50 who got completely wasted on our date, pressured me into having sex after a date, talked about his frat-boy days from college or who went on an on about all of his sexual conquests. I find restraint -- or is it just called maturity? -- unbelievably sexy."
-- Shira, 34, Glendale, AZ

Gray matters
"Maybe it's that whole George Clooney look, but I don't think there's anything hotter than a guy with salt-and-pepper or completely gray hair. I just want to run my fingers through it; it's irresistible!"
-- Ruthann, 41, Pelham, NY

Dream dates
"I feel like men over 50 are more willing to try new experiences when dating and more often come up with interesting date ideas. When I was younger, all of my dates essentially involved grabbing dinner or a drink. Older men are much more likely to plan a date that's different - things like playing tennis, seeing a play or attending a cultural event. I find these kinds of activities a lot more interesting, and the choice always reveals something about my date's personality, especially when it's something I've never tried before."
-- Elaine, 53, Carrollton, TX

Chivalry isn't dead
"I grew up in an era when certain chivalrous things involving dating were just 'done' by men, and because I'm a product of the times, I really expect my dates to do them. I find that men my age are more likely to open the door for me, pull out my chair when we go to a restaurant --those kinds of things. It may sound old-fashioned, but I really like those little touches. I think it's very sexy when a man does that for me; it just makes me feel like a lady. I feel like younger guys don't really do that sort of thing, and it's not their fault, really -- they were just never taught to do so. It's too bad!"
-- Justine, 58, St. Louis, MO

The pleasure principle
"The older men I have dated are always more sexually 'gifted' than the younger ones I have dated, probably because they are just that much more experienced and a lot better educated on what works when in bed. Trust me, men over 50 are just so much better in bed! I find them much more willing to be giving and concerned about their partner than younger men are."
-- Vanessa, 43, Lake Forest, IL

Memories of the way we were
"I grew up in the 60s, and remember when both Jack and Bobby Kennedy were shot, the Vietnam War and all of the other crazy things that happened during that time. I know a lot of women my age are into dating younger guys, but as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing worse than being out with a guy who looks at you sort of blankly when you reference those events or anything else that happened back then. I need to connect with a guy who knows the history of where I've been. There's something very attractive and comfortable about that."
-- Pat, 56, West Hartford, CT

Chelsea Kaplan is deputy editor of www.thefamilygroove.com and regularly appears as a guest on XM Radio's "Broad Minded." Her blog, "I'm Somebody's Mother?" can be found at www.rumymother.blogspot.com.