Relationships

11 Reasons Why You Should Date A Guy Who Is Divorced

by Justine Schofield
Stocksy

I know what you’re thinking, but aren’t divorced guys, like, old? Well, you could find a younger guy who went through a 2004 Britney Spears-style wedding, but that would just be weird.

There’s also the possibility of meeting a guy who got married as a child (18-25), but got divorced by 30.

Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and say he learned from that mistake, but he’s still not in the category of divorced guys we’re talking about here.

So, yes, the divorced guy you should date is older, but that’s actually one of his finer qualities — it means that he's more likely a man.

It’s common knowledge that guys typically lag significantly behind women when it comes to acting their age, so is raising the dating age bar really that bad of an idea?

No, it’s a great idea. Here are 11 reasons why:

With age comes responsibility.

He’s more likely to be responsible, and not in the “I ate real food instead of cereal for dinner” kind of way. Rather, he is responsible not only for himself, but also for others. He honors his commitments.

He knows how to put others first.

If he’s been married, he may have kids. I admit, initially this could seem like a downfall, but just remember, you’re dating him — not his children. Boundaries in this area are a good thing.

It’s important to realize that by having children, he knows how to take care of and think about other people. Yes, a guy who puts others first is a thing.

You won’t feel boxed in by white picket fences.

He’s all been there, done that with the marriage, kids, white-picket fence thing.

Without the pressure of all that, there’s a lot more time and room in a relationship to actually be in the moment and enjoy getting to know one another without feeling preoccupied by future expectations.

There’s real furniture in his place… and it’s not littered with pizza boxes.

His home actually resembles adult living. He has a couch instead of a futon, there’s more than beer in his fridge and you aren’t likely to have to forage through his bathroom in search of something that resembles toilet paper.

He lives alone.

Can you imagine what a quiet apartment with no roommates sounds like? It sounds like nothing; it’s quiet.

He has things figured out.

Aside from the whole divorce thing, he’s likely to have his life together (and if he doesn’t, run). He probably has a good job, since odds are, he’s been there a while. He’s stable and secure.

Your life may be in a constant state of crazy and your mind may usually run in 12 different directions, but his stability is refreshing and helps to keep you balanced amidst the chaos of your world.

He’s experienced.

Maybe in more ways than one, but he definitely has real-world experience and the benefit of the 20/20 hindsight vision you won’t have for years.

He’s already been where you are and likely has valuable insight into whatever current life crisis you might be experiencing.

You have more time for yourself.

With the higher likelihood that he has children to support and spend time with or a time-consuming job, his other obligations give you time for yourself.

The biggest mistake in new relationships is immediately going from first date to inseparable and dedicating all of your time and energy to this single person.

When the guy you’re dating has other responsibilities, it allows for the perfect balance to grow a healthy relationship.

The time you do spend together is more valuable.

Because he has other obligations, he puts more emphasis on the time you do spend together.

He appreciates your company and enjoys doing engaging and entertaining things with you, which helps to build your connection and delay the relationship plateau of sweatpants and Netflix binging.

He owns life the way only a divorced man can.

I mean, c’mon, the guy has been married before. It’s only natural for him to revert back to his pre-marriage days by wanting to go out and enjoy his newfound freedom. You won’t be stuck at home, on his real couch, watching SVU reruns.

Instead, you'll enjoy all the perks of dating an older guy, while still doing the things a 20-something likes to do.

He just gets it.

He’s already made many mistakes you haven't yet had the chance to do. He’s put up with more BS than you have, yet he’s still ready for and open to new relationships.

On top of everything else, he’s already had his heart broken in ways you can’t imagine, but this has made him more appreciative and receptive to whatever comes his way next.