Interesting postulation, Elanor, at current, based on Gen Z daters, it doesn't seem to be the case, it seems to be that teenage girls of that generation are less likely to date older guys, but once they hit their 20s, they revert to the norm and start dating on average guys a few years older.

If the trend continues as the norm, the gap will get wider as they grow older.

For the older women dating younger guys, the fascinating trend in that case is it doesn't seem to begin until women hit their late 30s to early 40s, with until this point, women showing a tendency to avoid younger guys for some reason, and that trend is still continuing based on the data.

Also, for whatever reason, when older women date younger guys, it tends to be more on a casual level, with it more often not ending in a lasting relationship for whatever reason, whereas the opposite is true for older guys with younger women.

The older women also tend to date a much narrower range, so more often guys in their 30s and 40s who are younger rather than guys in their 20s, leaving again guys in their 20s without options.

Perhaps things may change, but at current, the trends seem to show that the only real change is that we have extended childhood, which has pushed up the date at which the normal trend begins, which would perhaps tie into the narrative that men and women simply grow at different rates, and when it comes to dating, instincts will always trump whatever social narrative we push.

So, rather than age gaps being linked primarily to economics, like we are presently selling, the current trends show it seems to be more linked to instinct, so even in a world without economic disparities between men and women, the norm is age gaps. At least that is what at present it appears.

But it certainly is a fascinating subject, and will be very interesting to see how it plays out over the next few generations! Great comment again, thanks for sharing your thoughts!