Study Reveals Women and Men Prefer Younger Partners in Initial Dating Encounters
Research involving over 6,000 participants shows a surprising trend in attraction during blind dates, challenging traditional assumptions about age preferences in relationships.
- A study conducted by the University of California, Davis, analyzed over 9,000 blind-date responses from 6,262 participants aged 22 to 85.
- Findings indicate that both men and women are more attracted to younger partners during initial dating interactions, regardless of cultural or historical norms.
- This preference contrasts with long-term relationship trends, where men are typically older than their female partners, as reflected in global and UN marriage data.
- The study did not assess whether initial attraction to younger partners leads to long-term relationships, leaving this aspect unresolved.
- Researchers suggest societal norms, gender equality levels, and potential biases in participant samples may influence the observed preferences.
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