When it comes to finding love, there's no universal strategy that's going to work for everyone.
Is it best to aim for someone your own age, or should you date older or younger? How important is your date's career? Ultimately, will they treat you well?
These are all big questions that often take time to sort out. But according to one controversial relationship coach, the secret is simple: women should date older men.
Age gap relationships are commonplace, and it seems that women are more likely to date an older man than men are to date an older woman. Every relationship is different, of course, but could there be something to this?
"According to experts," Maddock said, without citing anything specific, "Men take about ten years longer to become emotionally mature than for a woman."
By extending this logic, a 30-year-old woman should be at about the same level of emotional maturity as a 40-year-old man.
It all stems from the emotional maturity thing, with Maddock saying that older men are more willing to become committed and are generally more decisive about what they want in life or out of a relationship.
Maddock says that older men have better "masculine energy," which helps them become leaders in relationships. The idea of someone dominating a relationship, rather than it being an equal partnership, is kind of problematic, but he doesn't stop there.
Maddock cites George Clooney, who didn't get married until the age of 52, as a prime example. He also points to the examples of Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, and Jerry Seinfeld, all of whom married younger women.
We won't go too far into the weeds about the time a 39-year-old Seinfeld dated a 17-year-old.
"There was a good ten-year period in my life that was pure hell because I didn't understand relationships at all," Maddock said of an era in his life that is arguably still ongoing.
Maddock has five pillars for a great relationship:
1. Raise attraction by staying away from bad habits and keeping yourselves looking good.
2. Pay attention to masculine and feminine energy, and how they differ.
3. Keep the courtship going by reminding yourself of the thrill of dating.
4. Stay intimate and keep having fun in the bedroom.
5. Communicate effectively with each other.
As anyone will tell you, every person and every relationship is different. That said, have you found any surefire strategies that work for you? If so, what are they? And what do you think of Jake Maddock's advice? Be sure to let us know in the comments.
