'A woman's prime is between 18-26'

[lough]

AIBU to be annoyed at DP saying this? He's arguing it not from an opinion, but from a 'biological' viewpoint and when a woman is most appealing to men from a biological standpoint.

I am in this age range but bordering on the end of it and having such a crisis about aging anyway (which I HATE because I can't understand why women have this pressure that MEN do not and believe that it is predominantly a societal thing). He disagrees and says it's not a societal influence at all and solely biological and that 'most men' would agree that this is the age a female is 'in her prime'.

(To add, I'd like to think I'm not in my prime now before 25 as I'd be sorely disappointed 🤣).
Surely his black/white perspective of this is wrong? It just annoys me but possibly because I'm so into feminism.

Well said.

Mr problem with his statement is that it elevates sexual attraction above all other values.

Those years may be when a women is at her best for child bearing. But this is not the peak value of a woman and, therefore, these years are not automatically her prime.

Her prime may happen at any time, depending on her own life and preferences and experiences.

A woman who finds freedom and confidence in her 50s (for example) may consider that decade her prime because they were the years she was happiest.

@YouveGotToGrooveIt yeah, I understand 100%. Even just stating that women are most sexually attractive in that age bracket would irritate me though, even from a biological stance.

I see his point but he should never have said it. This was something that really used to upset me OP. I found being around age 23-25 really hard as I was acutely aware I was leaving my youthful years behind and that soon I'd be considered past my physical prime. My appearance was very important to me as I have always been shy but was considered pretty so it's where my confidence came from .

Fast forward 10-15 years and I've let it go. I now completely accept I'm past my prime but I can still look nice and look after myself. My DH is also past his prime, we are happy and have a lovely family, my focus has totally changed. I do occasionally catch myself in a window reflection and think holy fuck is that my face, but for the most part I've accepted it and moved on. It's just less of an issue now.

Looks wise yes. Though honestly I did not start my decline until I was early thirty’s.
It’s such nonsense that men don’t think they have the same decline, some may get better looking as they get older but most start looking really rough a lot earlier than women as they don’t look after themselves.

I think it's annoying because it only presents women in the eyes of men. Probably men do find women in that age bracket attractive but who cares?

Realistically the sexual prime of women tends to be menopause. Less worries about pregnancy, more confidence, more experience, statistically apparently more and better orgasms. No men's opinion required.

Any man who only sees women in the context of what a man can use them for is a misogynist in my view. I don't think being a feminist is a bad thing, and you shouldn't dismiss your annoyance as being something relating to your feminism as though that is an extreme view.

YES. THIS.

I suppose it all comes down to whether or not you give a fuck about what men think 🤣

Ha, that's what men would like women to believe. Utter rubbish.
When a women need no outside validation or approval she is free, sadly most women can't master this because they are ruled by fear of getting older.
life is so short and fragile, it can turn on a sixpence, and hen it does these ridiculous fears will fade into insignifiance

This is so true. It's so liberating not giving a shit about what men think and having shaken off female socialisation to people please.

When was he in his prime?

Being "in your prime" - if that is what it is at that age - is overrated. So much hassle and harassment from mediocre, dick-led men who have barely evolved enough to walk upright. Being invisible to these pricks through age is a godsend.

I would say peak for women physically is 20-27. I feel 18 and 19s look baby-ish still.
I was just reading how men's sperm is best at 22-25 and best for men to have children before 35 as older is related to higher chances of miscarriage and birth defects.
I personally find men in physical peak in 18 to 29. There are the odd hotties in their 30s and MAAAAYBE in 40s but then their 'sexiness' isn't about their looks, it's hopefully their money (success), confidence and interesting conversations from hopefully living an interesting life. Most men though aren't that successful and the highlights of their life stories are getting pissed with mates abroad.

Sounds like a right dickhead you've got there.

When's his prime?

I’d be wondering how much lower than 18 he would go if that were legal / acceptable.
There’s no way his attraction magically starts from 18.

Well, he's told you what he thinks. If it was me I would dump him.

"A woman is most appealing at 18-36"? Only if you are the type of man who judges a woman's value solely based on how they look. That is what the biology is about. Decent men however, have brains that engage beyond a caveman level of mentality and value women as actual human beings not just something to have sex with.

Somebody who thought in this way is not someone I'd be in a relationship with. If you are still in this age bracket but "worried about ageing" then it suggests this isn't the first time he's been negging you.

Not a healthy relationship to be in.

I'm well into double prime now then 😁
Sounds like he's well past his!

@IdiotWhoDoesIdioticThings well sex is legal with 16 year olds in the uk and I think it's 13 or 14 in Italy.

yawn loudly. Do not bite. Do not come on mumsnet posting this drivel as it gives more credence than it deserves (and you know this).

What gets me is when they use the biology excuse they never stop and think through their thick skull that it works both ways. Most men aren't successful or rich enough when they are in their 35+ and most are losing their hair, developed wrinkles. If you take an average bloke of 25 vs an average bloke of 35, I'd rather shag the younger one. If the 35 was a millionaire and would marry me, yeah I'd choose him I guess but purely physically, an athletic younger man is hotter than an athletic older man. Old man smell is a thing but these incels only stop at the woman they never think about how age affects their saggy nut sacs.

I agree with those saying he’s right but an absolute cunt to be voicing that knowing your feeling wobbly about ageing at the moment.

the REALLY sad thing is your going to get to 50 and look back of photos at the age you are now and feel extremely sad you didn’t appreciate your youth when you had it. You have another ten years if fabulous collagen. Enjoy it!!!

*you’re

I look better now at 30 than I did at 21. My skin is a million times better because I look after it, I’m fitter, I know what clothes suit me. Your DP is talking utter nonsense

I was healthier & looked better in my late 20s to early 30s