Growing up in a world that constantly tries to define what’s acceptable in relationships has made me question myself more times than I can count. From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to older men—men significantly older than me. For the longest time, I struggled with this preference, wondering if something was wrong with me, if I was chasing something deeper than just attraction, or if I was setting myself up for judgment and misunderstanding.
It wasn’t until recently that I truly started to accept it for what it is. I prefer older men not because of their age but because of the qualities they embody—maturity, emotional intelligence, stability, and self-awareness. Those are characteristics that naturally come with experience, and experience often comes with age. But that understanding hasn’t made things any easier.
Last week, I had a conversation with my vanilla friends, and we were all talking about our current love interests. When I mentioned a man I was speaking to and revealed his age- 10+ years older than me—I was immediately met with criticism. They bashed me for my continuous interest in older men as if I had committed some kind of social crime. I tried to explain myself, to articulate that it wasn’t just about the number but about the way these men carried themselves—their maturity, their sense of purpose, the way they had already built and established their lives. But they wouldn’t hear me out. Eventually, I left the conversation feeling drained and misunderstood.
But later, as I sat with my thoughts, I realized something: I wasn’t the one who needed to change.
For me, attraction isn’t just about an older man’s age—it’s about the qualities he possesses. A man in his thirties or forties has likely experienced life in ways that have shaped him into someone with depth, wisdom, and an understanding of himself and the world. He’s had time to develop emotional intelligence, to learn from his mistakes, and to build a foundation of stability—qualities that I deeply admire and desire in a partner.
This isn’t to say that younger men can’t embody these traits, but the reality is that many men in my age range—early twenties—haven’t yet reached that level of self-awareness or maturity. They’re still figuring life out, still moving through the motions of youthful uncertainty. And while that’s perfectly valid, it’s simply not what I want for myself. I want a man who already knows what he wants, who has invested in himself emotionally, intellectually, and financially, the same way I have.
If I were to meet a man my age who possessed these same characteristics, I wouldn’t be put off by his age. But the truth is, those traits are far more common in older men because they’ve had more time to develop them.
There’s also a scientific aspect to this. Studies have shown that women mature faster than men—emotionally, mentally, and even neurologically. At any given age, a woman is often several years ahead of a male counterpart in terms of emotional intelligence, decision-making skills, and long-term thinking. This plays a significant role in why I can’t bring myself to submit to a man who lacks these qualities. Submission, for me, is deeply tied to trust and respect. I can’t submit to someone who hasn’t proven that they are capable of leading, guiding, and making sound decisions—not just for themselves but for us as a unit. If I’m going to place my trust in someone, I need to know they are equipped to handle that responsibility, and for me, that sense of security is something I’ve predominantly found in older men.
I understand why people have reservations about age-gap relationships. Concerns about power imbalances, differing life stages, or emotional dependency are real issues that deserve discussion. But the assumption that every age-gap relationship is inherently problematic is flawed. The key difference lies in choice and agency—am I being controlled, or am I consciously choosing what aligns with my needs? For me, it’s the latter. I seek partners who complement me, not control me. The issue isn’t age; it’s the presence (or absence) of mutual respect, emotional intelligence, and autonomy.
Shaming people for their preferences doesn’t protect anyone—it only pushes them to suppress their desires instead of exploring them safely and mindfully. Discussions about relationships should be centered around autonomy and well-being, not policing personal preferences through judgment.
This ties into my daddy kink as well. It’s not about wanting a "father figure" in the traditional sense. My attraction to the nurturing and guiding dynamic of a daddy dom stems from the same place as my attraction to older men—it’s about stability, reassurance, and the ability to let go and trust.
I’ve had to be strong and independent for most of my life, and while I take pride in that, I also crave the space to be soft, to be cared for, to be vulnerable. A daddy dom, to me, represents a protector and a mentor—someone who doesn’t just demand submission but nurtures it, encourages growth, and provides a sense of emotional safety.
So when people assume my attraction to older men is solely about their age or that it stems from "daddy issues," they fail to see the bigger picture. My preference isn’t about age—it’s about qualities. The same qualities that make a good daddy dom are the ones that draw me to older men: patience, wisdom, emotional intelligence, and stability.
I used to feel guilty for my preferences, constantly questioning if I was wrong for wanting something that society didn’t deem "normal." But I’ve come to realize that I don’t need to justify my desires to anyone. The world loves to put people in boxes, to tell them what they should want, who they should be with, and how they should live. But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is what makes me feel safe, fulfilled, and happy.
It’s easy to get caught up in external judgment, but I’ve learned that self-acceptance is far more important. I refuse to suppress what feels right for me just because it makes others uncomfortable. Instead of trying to force myself into relationships that don’t align with my needs, I’m embracing my truth—fully and unapologetically.
The truth is, we are all drawn to different things in relationships. Some people crave adventure, unpredictability, and high energy. I crave stability, wisdom, and a sense of security. And that’s okay. It doesn’t mean I’m broken or looking for someone to fill a void—it means I know what I want and refuse to apologize for it.
So, to anyone else who has ever felt judged for their preferences, I say this: You don’t owe anyone an explanation. You don’t have to shrink yourself to fit someone else’s idea of normal. Love what you love. Desire what you desire. And most importantly, embrace who you are without guilt or shame.
Because at the end of the day, the only person who has to live with your choices is you.