Age Preferences Across Sexual Orientations

Abstract

Age preference research with gay men and lesbians suggests sex differences underlie mate preferences. Gay and heterosexual men prefer younger partners; an age gap that increases with men's age. Lesbian and heterosexual women prefer older partners; this tendency remains stable across women's age. We sought to extend the literature by examining whether these age preferences replicate for bisexuals, given their interest in both sexes. Thus, our study examined age preferences in short and long-term relationships in heterosexual, bisexual and gay/lesbian men and women. Additionally, we aimed to discover whether age preferences varied as a function of participant sex or sexual orientation.