I don’t think it is taking anything away from younger women. If you feel that way maybe you should think about your self confidence level. There are definite stages of development – look at Eriikson’s Stages of Development. A 2 year is not the same as a 6 year old. Come on people. You learn at each developmental stage. So, please younger women, you are nothing like a woman over 40. You have not leaved enough years to understand what this really mean. So, stop trying to compare yourself.  

If you are one of those younger women comparing yourself and getting upset over the Andy Rooney comment….I rest my case.

Having said that, most women I know would be incredibly flattered by the attentions of a younger man. You have obviously come through a lot and are none worse for the wear. I believe that “life experience” means a lot. I don’t look at sex as a “skill” that is learned separately, but part of the continuous mosaic of life. As we mature, we learn how to take things one day at a time, to be more patient, less selfish and more giving, etc. All these things will show themselves in the bedroom, along with all other aspects of our lives. Maybe that’s what your young friend sees.

If you don’t want a sexual relationship with him, that is your prerogative. But think about taking his attentions as a great compliment, rather than being offended by it.

Mr Rooney himself has said this during his segment at least once.

What struck a nerve for me in particular was the whole “what are you thinking” thing. I’m very comforted to hear that I’m not the only one who has been on the receiving end of that question, and hated it.

I recently ended a relationship with an otherwise attractive, intelligent woman who unfortunately displayed nearly all the (to me) negative traits referred to or alluded to in the article. Even more unfortunately, I thought that it was my fault and stuck with it for way longer than I should have — thus actually making it my fault that I was still suffering through it after a year and a half.

I’ve come away with a very important lesson: My gut and heart are actually smarter than my brain sometimes, and I need to learn to listen to them. Yes, I’m over 40 and have never been married, and I’ve got more than my share of set-in-my-ways bad habits. But that doesn’t mean that I deserve to be browbeaten constantly about it. Ultimately a person needs to be able to accept who they are themselves, and accept who the other person is as well. Does that mean that its “OK” to leave a few dirty dishes in the sink for far too long? No. But to make things like that the centerpiece of a relationship (and we weren’t even living together) is just stupid.

It just got to the point where I was just done with being made to feel six inches tall all the time. Yes, on the facts she was always right (e.g. dishes in the sink), but there’s more to life than that, but she just couldn’t see it.

Ok, now I’m venting a bit. I’m grateful for this forum. Thank you.

i completely agree with your post.. i’ve seen lots of people get so bitter.. That it gets irritating to hear their unrealistically negative thinking about the opposite sex!!! A particular person i met was so negative that i for the first imte in my life began to hate seeing his face. Becasue all that anger and negativity is really contagious!!!