Is She Too Young for You?

I’m a big fan of Jack Nicholson. His roles have included some of the most memorable characters in movie history.

He’s played everything from the Joker in “Batman” to the possessed writer in “The Shining” to a harsh colonel in “A Few Good Men.”

But one of my favorite roles was his younger-woman-loving character in “Something’s Gotta Give” with Diane Keaton. He loved their allure, attitude and looks, but eventually he became attracted to someone his own age and in the same socioeconomic level.

The entire movie was a learning experience and represented his life coming full circle with help from women inside his age bracket – a terrific story.

It’s a well-known fact men are much more visual than women when it comes to attraction. We analyze the exterior first before walking across the dance floor and exploring deeper.

And let’s face it, we like what we like and it’s just the way God created us.

But how does this change as we grow older? Do our tastes in women mature while our hairlines recede? Do we begin losing our desire for those cheerleaders and girls plastered on calendars for the more settled faces in the crowd?

We’ve all seen the older bald or gray-haired guy with the sensible shoes and expanding waistline walking hand in hand with the carefree 20-something.

We watch, laugh and quickly draw the same conclusions: Donald Trump-sized wallet, paid escort, daddy figure.

We can’t help but flash back to those images of Anna Nicole Smith bouncing on her frail, elderly hubby’s lap while loosely recording some of his last requests, supposedly giving her access to his billions.

For most of us, the reasons for her affections were obvious. Realistically, ol’ J. Howard Marshall probably laughed all the way to his grave. He was a smart man and I’m sure he understood the games being played.

“Having a successful relationship is all

about a mutual appreciation of each other.”

How young is just too young

to be considered healthy?

And if you can’t help wanting to date or marry a woman a few years or even decades younger, how could you be certain she’s hanging around for love instead of those keys from Mercedes Benz?

We all love who we love and are not always attracted to those society says is “right,” “wrong,” “appropriate” or “a good fit.”

Love doesn’t discriminate when Cupid points his arrow and makes our hearts skip a beat while skyrocketing our libidos into astronomical levels. It’s all a matter of chemistry.

This could be debated while injecting all sorts of views. In the world of public opinion, most would argue an age difference of more than 15 years is a stretch — some might say 20. It can vary. Just ask Dane Cook.

But look at it this way, if a woman shares your same values, likes, dislikes, and tastes, who’s to say age really matters?

However, if the age difference is so great the memory of rotary phones, Michael Jackson and gas under $2 a gallon is completely foreign to her, then you best pause and take a step back.

Having a successful relationship is all about a mutual appreciation of each other.

But let’s be real here: A girl graduating high school and hooking up with a guy already looking forward to retirement is a fantasy. It isn’t going to work if you have grand kids and she desires her firstborn.

After all, what would you do on a Saturday night? She wants to go dancing at 11 p.m. and you’re slipping on your PJs. She’s coming into her sexuality and yours (let’s admit it) is on the downward slope.

How about music? You love the golden oldies while she prefers Beyonce and Taylor Swift.

If you’re bothered by these items while watching her in her newest bikini as you contemplate even taking your shirt off at the beach, well, fantasies are great but it’s time for a more realistic approach to finding a mate.

Are you in a relationship where the age difference is a primary concern? Do you know a friend or another person who is? We’d love to hear from you.