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You Talk About the “Fertility” Window. What About the “Getting Old” Window?

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Written by: Dr. Wendy Walsh

Dr. Wendy Walsh

Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, radio host & podcaster, and the author of three books on relationships and thousands of print and digital articles. More than 1.5 million people follow her sage advice on social media. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and teaches in the Psychology Department at California State University Channel Islands and has been the host of "The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show" on iHeart Radio's KFI AM 640 since 2015. Walsh is also a former Emmy-nominated co-host of "The Doctors," as well as former host of the nationally syndicated show "EXTRA." She was named a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2017 after speaking out about harassment at a major news network.

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Edited by: Lillian Castro

Lillian Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of journalism experience to ensure DatingAdvice articles have been edited for overall clarity, accuracy, and reader engagement. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, The Gwinnett Daily News, and The Gainesville Sun covering lifestyle topics.
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Reader Question:

You talk in your book about the fertility window. How about divorced single mothers who fear the “getting old” window or the “likability” window in their 40s — the time where men in this society consider you for marriage.

-Yudy (New York)

Dr. Wendy Walsh’s Answer:

Dear Yudy,

I have great news for you: Peers are attracted to peers across the lifespan.

Except for a few men and women who like younger partners (usually in an attempt to remedy low self-esteem), most people are attracted to people in their own age group.

They have more in common. They share cohort memories.

But if you believe you are getting too old, then I promise this will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have to believe you are young, vital and attractive before someone else can believe it.

PS: Please protect your kids from your romantic life. Going from single to married means kissing a few frogs and a revolving door of parental figures is bad for kids.

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You Talk About the “Fertility” Window. What About the “Getting Old” Window?
Dr. Wendy Walsh
Dr. Wendy Walsh

Known as America's Relationship Expert, Dr. Wendy Walsh is an award-winning television journalist, radio host & podcaster, and the author of three books on relationships and thousands of print and digital articles. More than 1.5 million people follow her sage advice on social media. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and teaches in the Psychology Department at California State University Channel Islands and has been the host of "The Dr. Wendy Walsh Show" on iHeart Radio's KFI AM 640 since 2015. Walsh is also a former Emmy-nominated co-host of "The Doctors," as well as former host of the nationally syndicated show "EXTRA." She was named a Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2017 after speaking out about harassment at a major news network.