The Bridget Jones Effect: Why This Is the Year We’ll All Be Mad About A Boy

Are you a mature woman dating a younger man? Good news! You’re in great company, and this year may finally bring a more relaxed attitude and greater acceptance of these relationships, breaking down lingering taboos.

You may call it the “Bridget Jones Effect,” but actually, before “Mad About The Boy,” the romantic comedy coming to screens on Valentine’s Day 2025, starring Renée Zellweger embarking on a romance with Leo Woodall, plenty of films have covered stories of older women romancing younger men.

From “The Idea of You”, with Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, the leader of a boy band who pursues the mother of one of his fans, to “Lonely Planet“, with Laura Dern setting off for a writer’s getaway in Morocco and meeting Liam Hemsworth, a young guy who is there with his girlfriend. From “Family Affair“, in which Zac Efron, 36, plays the role of a movie star who falls for the mother of his personal assistant (Nicole Kidman), to “Baby-Girl”, in which the actress is a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins a torrid affair with a much younger intern, it seems that the stigma surrounding age-gap relationships may have diminished (or maybe it’s getting started).

So, what’s driving this shift in perspective? CrunchyTales has dug around for you to find out why this is the year we’ll all be mad about a boy.

Women Dating Younger Men, A New Perspective

Public perception of age-gap relationships has evolved significantly over the past decade, reflecting changing societal norms and attitudes. As society begins to celebrate all kinds of love, more people are rallying to normalize relationships between older women and younger men. 

Celebrities like Madonna, Tilda Swinton, Joan Collins, Demi Moore, Cher, Mariah Carey, and Sienna Miller are leading the way having been open about their relationships and marriages with younger men in real life.

What’s more, this dating-trend is growing even online. Currently, the hashtag #datingyoungermen has garnered approximately 780 million views on TikTok. This significant number reflects the growing interest and normalization of relationships where older women date younger men, highlighting a cultural shift in perceptions around age-gap relationships.

In summary, the trend of mature women dating younger men is on the rise, supported by changing attitudes, mutual benefits in emotional maturity and communication, and a growing acceptance of diverse relationship dynamics.

What’s Behind the Growing Attraction Between Older Women and Younger Men?

According to the statistic platform Gintux, 80% of older women are open to dating younger men and 48% of single women between the ages of 40 and 60 are currently dating younger men and guess what? Most of the time it’s not just sex.

The attraction between older women and younger men is driven by factors such as increased confidence, emotional maturity, a desire for fun, and compatibility in interests and values. These dynamics challenge traditional relationship norms and highlight the evolving nature of romantic partnerships today.

According to psychologist Justin J. Lehmiller Ph.D. , “Despite the double standard, older women dating younger men are more satisfied than other women. When a woman is older than her male partner, this may shift power dynamics toward greater equality – he says-Older women may also feel more empowered to get what they want in their relationships, sexually and otherwise. While age-gap couples featuring an older woman and a younger man might face social resistance, this does not necessarily prevent them from developing strong, highly satisfying relationships“.

While it’s important to avoid over generalizations, research also suggests that younger generations tend to have more progressive views on a range of topics compared to their older counterparts. Younger individuals are in fact often more open-minded and socially conscious about issues like feminism, body positivity, and mental health, making them empathetic and supportive partners for older women with similar values.

Additionally, since studies indicate that women are often more progressive than men of the same age, it’s no wonder older women may connect better with younger men who share their perspectives.

“Everyone should be free to design the relationship model that works for them. Older women have always been attracted to younger men and younger men have always been attracted to older women – explains Cindy Gallop, business innovator, keynote speaker and CEO of ‘Make Love Not Porn’, shared in ‘The Cut’: -. Unfortunately, the usual double standard applies: older man, younger woman — no one bats an eyelid. The more of us who can be loud and proud about our unconventional relationships, the more we’ll break down society’s prejudices”.

Let’s hope this new year will pave the way for a more inclusive and accepting view of relationships between older women and younger men, ultimately breaking stereotypes and celebrating genuine connections.

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