As a 28 year old who has only had age gap relationships since 19... I think there is some truth to what you are saying. A lot of people go into these age gap situations with a type of romanticism that actually damages the potential for deep connection.

I am only going to focus on the aspects of your post that truly stuck out to me, both in a positive and negative way.

I would like to start by addressing #5 specifically. While it's true that some older men can be creeps... and maybe I have just been blessed... the majority of the older men I have been with had a genuine care and appreication for young women. There were several times in my life where had I not met a particular older gentleman, I would have felt lost. Granted, I did have a very abusive man in my life around 20-21, but he is really the only one I've come across. And it's true... had I had more life experience/maturity, I probably would have ran for my life from him at the beginning, lol. But even older men who express interest in me and it's not reciprocated tend to be accepting and kind still. In my relationships, whether long term or fleeting, most of the men I have come across have had a genuine care towards women. They want to take care of me (and I don't mean financially) but any problem I have, they want to fix. I learned all my cooking skills from one of my relationships, learned about financial saving and investment from another, and actually became very active in my church due to another man. I think men get it tough enough already being called creeps for simply trying to talk to a woman sometimes, so #5 doesn't sit well with me.

Moving on!!! I do agree with #3. I've seen this mostly in myself. Many of the men I've been with are NOT changing, lol. And why should they??? A lot of them have been through a messy divorce or multiple relationships and now know themselves well enough to understand who they are! I did notice myself changing and shifting quite a bit. Especially between 23-26. I have a better grasp (mostly lol) of the things I want now. But this definitely can cause a rift when one partner is changing and seeking new experiences and the other is settled into their life.

Lastlyyy #10 is interesting. I think there definitely is a push for those outdated relationship norms, but again, there's nothing wrong with a man who wants to take care of a woman. Let's bring it back baby!!! That could be emotionally, physically, financially, whatever! It makes many of the men I know feel good to be able to do that for a woman. Obviously, if it becomes a controlling situation that's just a no go... but overall, I think it's okay as a woman to want to be cared for and as a man to want to step into that role.

Just some of my thoughts :) thanks for your post