The New Desperate Demographic

I've been thinking about this topic for a while now. Ever since I noticed the phenomenon, really. It's odd to me and I'd love to know how all of you view it.

Since I've been on MySpace, a relatively brief time thus far, I've met lots of new friends and caught up with many old friends. Some of those old friends are men. The interesting phenomenon is that when I was nineteen and twenty, these guys were older than I was. Two to five years older. Now that I'm in my mid-thirties, according to their MySpace pages, they are that much YOUNGER than I am.

Out of common courtesy I won't name names, but isn't it interesting that men in their mid to late thirties are now pretending to be so much younger? I've noticed no women doing the same, though I'm sure some women, somewhere are, but several of the men have. And when I've asked them about it directly, simply out of good-natured curiosity, to a number they have not answered.

Women use anti-aging products, or, as the new and wonderful Dove campaign puts it, PRO-aging products, and we color our hair, attempt to trim our figures and wear flattering clothing in an effort to always look our best. (In public at least, right? I'm not about to cop to dressing to impress in my own home.) But I cannot think of a women I know who actively lies about her age or even tries to hide it. Women of my mother's generation, yes. (Sorry, Mom. I'll point out now that my mother has never done this, to my knowledge. She is naturally beautiful and always will be.) I know of a few women who held onto their 39th year clear up until their 50th.

I can't help but wonder if the men who lie about their ages do it for any reason other than vanity. I'm assuming, since I'm friends with some of these people, that they have no nefarious intentions. But in the same way that women of a certain age have begun embracing their abilities and attributes, have the men of that same age regressed in their confidence in themselves?

The sad thing is, I know these guys. I know they've accomplished things for themselves, I know they are intelligent and interesting people who have friends and a place in the world. Some are married, some are single and happily dating. In short, they are in the same playing field as all of my women friends. So what is making that difference?

I find it more impressive when people look their best, behave wisely, and continuously progress in their personal accomplishments. I have to believe there is no better feeling than success in your own chosen arena and that success shines from your face (probably knocking ten years off your appearance!)

Comment freely. I'm fascinated!