Dating News: Men Prefer Older Women, Women Prefer Younger Men

finding loveFrost came across this rather interesting dating news, and some stereotypes are born out in the data, such as men increasingly looking for a younger partner as they age. It turns out that men aged 20-29 preferring older to younger women, and women also preferring a younger to older man as they age.

Mind the (age) gap! What does age difference matter for love?

450,000 dating searches reveal the ideal age-gap for a modern relationship

 

  • Study of 450,000 online daters reveals age of perfect partner
  • Men aged 20-29 prefer older women
  • Women’s tolerance of older men decreases with age
  • Older men after the biggest age gap, wanting women 11 years younger 

 

What difference does an age gap make when it comes to love?  In 2015, are there still age-related dating taboos? Inspired by Stephen Fry’s marriage to a man 30 years his junior, new research by dating website EliteSingles, using anonymous search data from almost half a million of its members, reveals exactly what age differences singles look for in a match.

The study analysed the upper and lower age search limits for more than 450,000 of its members, finding that not all men are as focused on finding a youthful partner as the stereotype suggests.

As the male curve on the graph indicates, the stereotype of the older man seeking  an increasingly younger partner does in fact ring true. Men aged 60-69 set, on average, a desired partner age of up to 11 years younger than themselves, while the oldest they would accept is someone just  1 year older.

But younger men buck the trend, with those aged up to 30 preferring to date someone older than younger. Between the ages of 20-29, many men indicate a preference for a partner 3-6 years older than themselves.

EliteSingles Partner Psychologist Sam Owen believes that ‘’the finding that men aged 20-29 prefer older women rather than the suspected “younger model” is likely indicative of the change in gender roles in modern society towards more equality between the sexes. Young men nowadays probably also recognise that older women are adept at diligently juggling so many responsibilities (career, children, housekeeping, fitness, finances, socialising), which makes them intriguing and attractive and a more secure option.’’

Women may not be so keen to play the ‘cougar’ though. The data from female users suggests that still women prefer to be the youngest in a relationship. Women aged over 50, for instance, tend to focus on finding a match who is ideally 6years older than their own age. There is not much wiggle room in this instance: anyone more than years younger is deemed too young.

Younger women echo and even amplify this interest in men older than themselves. For 20-29  year olds, the average given age difference wanted was up to 10 years, whilst women aged 30-39 can imagine a partner 8 years older. And, for women aged 20-29, a man should be no more than 1 and 3 years younger.

 

 What do you think? Do you think age matters in a partner? Do you prefer to go older or younger?

 

 

 

Quotes About Marriage

The problem with marriage is that it ends every night after making love, and it must be rebuilt every morning before breakfast. – Gabriel García Márquez.
quotesonmarriage
Believing in marriage and not in divorce is like believing in joint stock companies and not in bankruptcy. – Neil Ferguson

 

Marriage is a wonderful institution, but who wants to live in an institution? – Groucho Marx

 

Where there’s marriage without love, there will be love without marriage. – Benjamin Franklin

 

If I get married, I want to be very married. – Audrey Hepburn

 

When you make the sacrifice in marriage, you’re sacrificing not to each other but to unity in a relationship. – Joseph Campbell

 

When marrying, ask yourself this question: Do you believe that you will be able to converse well with this person into your old age? Everything else in marriage is transitory. – Friedrich Nietzsche

 

Every good relationship, especially marriage, is based on respect. If it’s not based on respect, nothing that appears to be good will last very long. – Amy Grant

 

I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. – Rita Rudner

 

My most brilliant achievement was my ability to be able to persuade my wife to marry me. – Winston Churchill

 

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave.
– Martin Luther

 

Don’t marry the person you think you can live with; marry only the individual you think you can’t live without. – James C. Dobson

 

It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages. – Friedrich Nietzsche

 

Let us now set forth one of the fundamental truths about marriage: the wife is in charge. – Bill Cosby

 

Do you know what it means to come home at night to a woman who’ll give you a little love, a little affection, a little tenderness? It means you’re in the wrong house, that’s what it means.- Henny Youngman

 

One advantage of marriage is that, when you fall out of love with him or he falls out of love with you, it keeps you together until you fall in again. – Judith Viorst

 

To keep your marriage brimming, With love in the loving cup, Whenever you’re wrong, admit it; Whenever you’re right, shut up. – Ogden Nash

 

If you want to sacrifice the admiration of many men for the criticism of one, go ahead, get married. – Katharine Hepburn

 

I’d marry again if I found a man who had fifteen million dollars, would sign over half to me, and guarantee that he’d be dead within a year. – Bette Davis

 

Never get married in college; it’s hard to get a start if a prospective employer finds you’ve already made one mistake. – Elbert Hubbard

 

A good husband makes a good wife. – John Florio

 

Marrying an old bachelor is like buying second-hand furniture. – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

 

When a man steals your wife, there is no better revenge than to let him keep her. – Sacha Guitry

 

For years my wedding ring has done its job. It has led me not into temptation. It has reminded my husband numerous times at parties that it’s time to go home. It has been a source of relief to a dinner companion. It has been a status symbol in the maternity ward. – Erma Bombeck

 

Bachelors have consciences, married men have wives. – Samuel Johnson

 

Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage. – Ambrose Bierce

 

Marriage is an adventure, like going to war. – Gilbert K. Chesterton

 

When a man opens a car door for his wife, it’s either a new car or a new wife. – Prince Philip

 

Men have a much better time of it than women. For one thing, they marry later; for another thing, they die earlier. – H. L. Mencken

 

There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife, confounding their enemies and delighting their friends. – Homer

 

The first time you marry for love, the second for money, and the third for companionship. – Jackie Kennedy

 

There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded. – Princess Diana

 

Marriage is a series of desperate arguments people feel passionately about. – Katharine Hepburn

 

The true index of a man’s character is the health of his wife. – Cyril Connolly

 

Scientists Reveal The ‘Language of Love’

finding love‘Physically fit’, ‘perceptive’ and ‘passionate’ – the words to a woman’s heart revealed

They may only be words, but the language men use in their online dating profiles can have a serious impact on getting them noticed by the opposite sex.

In a study of 12,000 dating profiles on eHarmony.co.uk, the relationship site identified the top ten words with the ‘D Factor’ – or ‘date factor’ – that were most likely to grab the attention of single women looking for great dates.

The data showed that men who mention some form of physical fitness, or described themselves as perceptive, passionate or optimisticall saw more approaches.

Conversely, women describing themselves as sweet, ambitious or thoughtful were more likely to see men start up conversations with them.

Interestingly the word ‘funny’ saw both male and female dater’s ears prick up, with both sexes ranking it sixth out of the top ten list; showing there are some things men and women do agree on.

And these extra approaches are far from insignificant. Physically fit or perceptive men attracted between 60-70% more interest from women who wanted to get to know them better; whereby sweet, ambitious or funny women saw between 20-45% more approaches.

The study also revealed that women are more interested in what men have to say for themselves, not just their looks – being more likely to consider a man based on his description rather than his picture. Words used on a profile were shown to have a wider impact (-64% to +69%) on women’s decision to approach, whereby this scale was narrower for men (-43% to +46%).

Jemima Wade, spokesperson for eHarmony.co.uk, said: “Whilst the research shows certain words serve to grab fellow daters’ attention, at eHarmony we know that daters are looking for quality dates every time. And that takes more than just a few words; it’s about finding someone with the same values, who instantly gets you.”

Jemima added: “That’s why we worked with the University of Oxford to develop our Compatibility Matching System and employ scientists to keep refining and improving our algorithm to ensure it’s the best tool to help people find that extra special someone.”

The top 10 words with the ‘D Factor’ (female / male)

1. Sweet (+46%) / Physically fit (+69%)

2. Ambitious (+39%) / Ambitious (+64%)

3. Thoughtful (+30%) / Perceptive (+63%)

4. Spontaneous (+30%) / Passionate (+54%)

5. Physically fit (+22%) / Optimistic (+44%)

6. Funny (+21%) / Funny (+38%)

7. Outgoing (+19%) / Spontaneous (+33%)

8. Optimistic (+17%) / Thoughtful (+21%)

9. Hard working (+17%) / Affectionate (+17%)

10. Passionate (+16%) / Outgoing (+17%)

Beyonce’s Sister Solange Attacks Jay Z

The world was shocked yesterday when a video showing Beyonce’s sister, Solange, physically attacking Beyonce’s husband, Jay Z, in an elevator went viral. The video is below and it is hard to understand the reason behind the attack as there is no sound. Take a look and tell us what you think.

The video footage was obtained by TMZ and is from inside an elevator in the Standard Hotel. The incident happened in New York after the Met Ball Gala last week. Beyonce later posted a cryptic prayer about relationships on her Instagram feed.

Beyonce-prayer instagram relationships

According to US Weekly, the two sisters flew to Costa Rica very soon afterwards for Kelly Rowland’s secret wedding to her long-time boyfriend Tim Witherspoon. It was a “quick, simple ceremony – only around 30 people,”

Kiss Your Fights Good-Bye Book Review

Kiss Your Fights Good-byeKiss Your Fights Good-bye: Dr. Love’s 10 Simple Steps to Cooling Conflict and Rekindling Your Relationship by America’s “love doctor”, Dr. Jamie Turndorf is an interesting read. Everyone spends time thinking about their relationships. The book is a practical 10-step programme that says it will help achieve a deeper, healthier bond with your partners.

I have a good relationship with my other half and there aren’t any huge issues but I was still excited to read the book and pick up some tips, but to be honest I didn’t relate to the book. I thought it had too many gender stereotypes that I could not relate to. Like women withholding sex as punishment or to get what they want- which I actually thought was offensive, and that men just withdraw every time a fight happens. I also did not like some of the scenarios with couples. The men calling their wives bitches for example. If a man called me a bitch there would not be a relationship to fix.

I feel that this book is for people with worse relationships than me, or people who are more suited to typical gender stereotypes. It is not that it doesn’t have any good advice: it does but most of it was not relatable to me. Worth a read if your fighting all of the time and you, or your partner, fit the stereotypes.

Known to millions as ‘Dr. Love’, Jamie Turndorf, PhD, has been seen on numerous TV shows and has over 30 years’ experience as a relationship counsellor. Her impressive endorsements include:

“Dr Turndorf has relationships figured out. If you want a great relationship, you must follow her ten-step method for lasting love.” – Jack Canfield, Chicken Soup for the Soul.

“If anger and fighting are ruining your dream of a happy marriage (or relationship), Dr Turndorf’s conflict-resolution programme is for you.” – John Gray, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus

Kiss Your Fights Good-bye: Dr. Love’s 10 Simple Steps to Cooling Conflict and Rekindling Your Relationship

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Don’t know what to buy for Valentine’s Day? Here is our handy guide.

igiveyouwood

Timbergram, the original wooden postcard company, are offering a whopping 25% off orders through their website in the lead up to Valentines Day and beyond through their ‘I GIVE YOU WOOD’ campaign. Discerning lovers out there can also now upload any image to be printed onto the front of the woodend cards, as well as having a personalised message etched onto the back.

What’s more, Timbergrams supports the charity TreeAid who plant trees throughout Africa’s drylands to help communities escape poverty. In 2013 Timbergram alone helped TreeAid to plant over 1000 trees, making these little products one of the most eco-considerate ways to tell someone you love them.

As well as being able to upload any of your own images onto the front of your card, you can choose from a huge range of Timbergram’s own designs. Timbergram promotes and collaborates with a wide range of UK-based artists and illustrators, so you’re bound to find something different that your partner will adore. If you can’t find a design that catches your fancy, we can etch your own message on the front – just like the old days when you engraved your initials in tree bark.

Spread the love this Valentines Day… give someone wood with the original and best wooden postcards from Timbergram.

Simply use the code: “GIVEWOOD” at the checkout for your 25% discount.

 

austenland
Austenland is a great film. Perfect for Valentine’s Day.

I love you to the moon and back coaster.

I Love You To The Moon & Back Wooden Coaster Super cute.

heart shaped baloons

Valentine’s Day Heart Shaped Balloons

Alessi Big Love Ice Cream Set, Blue  £29.95

Alessi Big Love Ice Cream Set from John Lewis

230453783

Name A Star Gift from John Lewis

230509133

Cowshed Knackered Cow candles from John Lewis

 

 

Romance In Modern Age: 52% of Women Would Contribute To Engagement Ring

The New Engagement Etiquette in the Age of Equality

TV diamond expert, Vashi Dominguez, Founder and CEO of Vashi.com reports that in a recent survey, over 50 percent of women admit they would make a contribution to their engagement ring to ensure they got the ring of their dreams. 52 percent of women answered that ‘yes, I would probably consider [contributing to my engagement ring]’ or ‘yes, I would definitely consider it as it would mean I could have the style and size I want.’ A further 7 percent of women surveyed had already contributed to their engagement ring. The statistics also reveal that a quarter of women surveyed would partake in subtle hinting, such as comments to their partner when walking past jewellery stores, to ensure they received the engagement ring they wanted.

engagementring

Pear Cut 0.6 Carat D/VS1 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Engagement Ring | £1,899

The financial crisis of the late 2000s caused employment rates for men aged 25-44 in the UK to decrease by 3.2 percent. The employment rate of women in the same age range dropped by a lesser 0.7 percent. Consequentially, more couples now share the cost of living; large expense items such as a new car, holidays or an engagement ring are now more likely to be a shared expense. Couples’ finances in general are now so interlinked prior to engagement that an even higher percentage of women could be contributing to their ring subtlety through linked finances.

The survey results also strongly suggest that engagements in the UK are planned (more frequently than being spontaneous) due to men’s financial circumstances and budget constraints. However, a relatively large proportion of men did not plan romance around the planned engagement – this is according to 24 percent of women who revealed their partner did not plan anything specific for their engagement, with another 13 percent of women stating that their partner did not get down on one knee.

In light of the survey results, Vashi.com anticipates a growing number of sales will be a result of joint decisions made by a couple. Post-survey, Dominguez stated: “These results represent a welcome shift in the way couples approach engagement now. The team and I notice more women being involved in the process compared to previous generations. Traditionally, men were the breadwinners and often as a result, the decision makers. However, we’re beginning to experience a new engagement etiquette. Our male customers are relying on their partner’s input too, whether it be financially or at least from an aesthetic point of view. Not only this, now vashi.com is receiving an increasing proportion of business from female customers.”

Vashi Dominguez continued, “women know what they want and our survey shows they’re not afraid to contribute to ensure they get what they want!”

1000 women aged 20-50 were surveyed UK-wide.

Source re survey: Census Wide on behalf of vashi.com

Source re recession: The Labour Force Survey from 2007 Q1 – 2007 Q4

 

2 Out Of 3 Think Modern Men Have Lost The Art Of Chivalry

· 2 out of 3 Brits believe modern men have lost the art of chivalry

· 67% of over 55s have experienced a romantic gesture from their partner in the last year

· Listening and spending time with each other are valued more than materialistic gestures

 

As the nation gears up for Valentine’s Day, it seems ‘the Facebook Generation’ of UK men may need to brush up on their romantic skills. A survey by over adult only hotel group Warner Leisure Hotels has revealed that 2 out of 3 Brits (27,999,654) believe modern men have lost the art of chivalry. Women are suffering from the lack of love, as one fifth has admitted that their partner hasn’t done anything romantic in the last year.

Jaine and Tim Hewett, celebrating Valentine’s with 400 roses at The Warner Leisure Cricket St. Thomas Hotel in Somerset

Jaine and Tim Hewett, celebrating Valentine’s with 400 roses at The Warner Leisure Cricket St. Thomas Hotel in Somerset

Love needn’t cost the earth as the study found the little things in life – listening to your partner (25%) and never going to bed angry (10%) are the best ways to keep romance alive. 10 million (9,971,806) Brits value spending time with partners and the survey by Warner Leisure Hotels also revealed that going on holiday is important to 2 million (2,014,010).

The best way to keep romance alive in a long-term relationship as surveyed by OnePoll *

· Listening to your partner: 24.25%

· Spending time with each other: 20.30%

· Small gestures e.g. giving compliments, buying small gifts: 9.50%

· Never going to bed angry: 9.95%

· Letting the small things go: 9.95%

Though diamonds are allegedly a girl’s best friend, keeping the spark in a relationship doesn’t have to mean ostentatious gestures – the classics are still the best. With the over 55s leading the way in the art of wooing, younger generations have a lot of catching up to do:

Ways a partner has been romantic in the last year (over 55s) as surveyed by OnePoll *

· Complimented you in some way: 35.28%

· Bought you flowers: 24.54%

· Bought you chocolates: 20.61%

· Cooked a romantic meal: 18.41%

Hannah Sardar, PR Manager for Warner Leisure Hotels

Chivalry is not dead; it’s clear that with a little guidance and a few tips from those who know romance the best, the younger generation can keep romance alive. Relationships and romance require quality time together, trying new things as a couple and investment but the small things – cooking a meal or going on a spontaneous trip for the weekend – really do make a difference. No matter your age, it’s always important to make your partner feel special.”