What makes George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Gregory Peck so dreamy? It’s their charm, their ridiculous good looks, their experience and their age.

Movies instill in the minds of young girls that the hero is always the older man. Since I can remember, I have always wanted to profess my love to Bruce Willis, who is 36 years older than I am. But, age is just a number. Or is it more than that?

Gray strands mixed in among dark luscious hair scream of a sexy older man. The older they are, the more they have life figured out—usually. At the age of 20, I have absolutely nothing figured out. In the morning I change outfits two or three times. I don’t know what I will be having for lunch the next day and I have no idea what life will bring me after college.

This is what makes the older man so attractive.

They have things figured out. They have a steady career. They have a schedule. The challenge of trying to fit yourself into their life becomes exciting. Although it sounds fantastic to join your life with his, he might not have time for you. Just because he has a schedule does not mean it’s a flexible one. The beauty of dating an older man is he will have a life started already, even if it might not be the life you want.

Women dating men much older than them will always remain a popular phenomenon. The public will always ponder the reasons why young beautiful Playboy models choose to date Hugh Hefner.

But older men in power are sexy. A strange psychological imbalance occurs in women who meet older men that hold high positions. It may be the stability they have achieved and their confidence that drives the women crazy. If a man walks into a room with his head held high, wearing a suit and has a title like CEO, doctor or professor, they can potentially have any woman in the room.

Maturity and age are supposed to come hand in hand. But, is the maturity level between an 18 year old and a 28 year old that much different? No. As much as a woman tries to explain the reason she’s dating an older man is because he’s “more mature,” it’s false. Maturity and experience are two different things. The older guy will still make “That’s what she said” jokes. Older men may be more experienced in the art of communication, but they will not always be the breathtaking Prince Charming who will solve all of a young girl’s problems. Many older men will still be too cowardly to break up in person, flake out on dates and potentially cheat. This does not change with age.

—Tara Millspaugh is a journalism junior.