As men get older, the range of women who are of acceptable dating age keeps getting wider. That doesn't mean it's always the best choice, however. Some guys just can't handle what comes along with dating a younger woman. Sure, she's probably fun and spontaneous – but she might also be really irresponsible. So should you be dating a younger woman? Let's look at some of what comes with the territory:

Pros of Dating Younger Women

• Energy. With youth comes enthusiasm, sexual stamina and a spontaneity that usually just isn't there with women of a certain age. So long as you can keep up, that youthful energy is one of the most exciting parts about dating someone younger.

• Freedom. Younger women are more likely to have an easygoing lifestyle. Things like children and divorces usually haven't come along to complicate their lives yet, which leaves you more time and freedom to have fun together.

• Arm candy. Many guys who want to date younger women are the same ones who want to drive a Ferrari or quit their job to become a pro poker player. There's this idea that having a younger girlfriend is part of a “living large” lifestyle. Some people might call that a midlife crisis guys, so proceed with caution if that's your biggest interest.

Cons of Dating Younger Women

• Immaturity. Sorry guys, but it's true. You might get lucky and meet a worldly younger woman, but most young ladies just don't have their heads together. Don't get roped into being somebody's babysitter.

• Generation gap. One of the main reasons people often prefer to date within their own age group is having things in common. Going though the same life situations, sharing common interests and understanding each other's sense of humor aren't a guarantee when you're dating someone younger.

• Social stigma. If you're old enough to be your girlfriend's father, your friends and families might not exactly welcome you two being a twosome. Then again, people will almost always have an opinion on the affairs of others, so it's up to you to decide whether this would bother you.

Dating a younger woman might seem like a great idea – and for the right guy, it is. But there's really no shame in it if you're not that guy. You can still have outstanding relationships with women your own age (or older, if cougars are more your style), without ever being called a cradle robber.