I'm Here For The Younger Men Propaganda

Ever since Love Island USA season six, I noticed that two-thirds of the boyfriends in the final three couples were younger than their girlfriends. In the Love Island universe, almost all of the most popular couples from the last two seasons have this dynamic. Including season six winners, Serena Paige (25) and Kordell Beckham (23), third place winners Jana Craig (27) and Kenny Rodriguez (24), and season seven fan favorites Olandria Carten (27) and Nic Vansteenberghe (24). Love Island is a very controlled environment. Consequently, since they can’t control who enters the villa, islanders are forced to check their internal biases–ones that may have been holding them back in the real world–at the door. Islanders who may not have been looking for someone younger are forced to look past that and find a deeper connection to stay on the show and find love.

This got me thinking about the societal norm that men are “supposed to be” older than their girlfriends. It’s no secret that there is a double standard for men with younger girlfriends vs. women with younger boyfriends. Older women with younger boyfriends are subjected to the term "cougar." However, I am noticing a broader trend of women being significantly older than their partners, and I'm here for it. 

Movies don’t shy away from the idea that women thrive with younger boyfriends. In Freaky Friday, Jamie Lee Curtis (66) and Chad Michael Murray (43) made out. Babygirl with Nicole Kidman (58) and Harris Dickinson (29) mostly garnered attention for the kink (or lack thereof), but their relationship was also an age gap relationship. The latest example of younger men propaganda can be found in Bridget Jones’ Diary: Mad About the Boy, which was all about Bridget dating a younger man.

In the music industry, it seems there’s some sort of unspoken code that divas have younger boyfriends. For example, Cher (79) and Alexander Edwards (38) have made headlines with their confirmed age gap relationship. Personally, I find the most interesting thing about that pairing is that Cher is now one degree away from Amber Rose, as Alexander shares a child with her. 

Mariah Carey (ageless, darling) and Anderson .Paak (39) have been sparking rumors of an alleged romance after being seen together repeatedly. Anderson .Paak worked with Mariah on her latest single “Type Dangerous.” So it’s unclear if their recent sightings are as a couple or very good friends. However, this wouldn’t be the first time Mariah has dated someone younger. Her last public boyfriend was dancer Bryan Tanaka (42). She also famously shares twins with Nick Cannon (44). Most recently, Sia (49) and reality star Harry Jowsey (28) are rumored to be dating. 

Interestingly, age gaps in queer relationships are nothing new. We all remember the discourse surrounding Call Me By Your Name. But, let's discuss the most recent age gap relationship that got the girls talking, Anna Camp (42) of Pitch Perfect and stylist Jade Whipkey (24). Their pairing has sparked lots of online discourse, but for better or worse, age gap relationships are almost a queer staple. I remember when Sarah Paulson (50) and Holland Taylor (82) got together and everyone lost their minds, despite being well beyond an age where it would be problematic.  

Ultimately, it makes sense that women date younger men. There are the obvious sexual advantages. As well as the known fact that men aren’t necessarily more mature with age. As long as everyone is above legal age and treating everyone respectfully, I approve! 

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