Perceptions of age

When two people are attracted to each other, does age become a factor of consideration?

I've always been the guy in a relationship - no, really, i'm not kidding. And its always seemed that i've been older than the person i'm with, or at least, even if she is older, the difference is never more than a year. Is this a coincidence, or do women purposely look for relationships with older men?

From my own perspective, i honestly believe that i have no real preference when it comes to age. It just so happens that the women who have given me the time of day have just about always been younger.

I've been told that a woman tends to be attracted to older, more mature men then herself. Something about it being related to the basic instinct of protection - feminists would disagree, but its entirely possible that an older man is sought for his greater experience, his ability to guide and provide mature support that a younger man may not be able to provide. (If this is true) The woman needs to feel secure in her belief that her mate can protect her, and that may be perceived to be unlikely if the man is younger, inexperienced and requires heaps of guidance himself (this does not mean that older men are faultless, but i think you get the idea).

Many women have told me this: they don't want to feel like they are "the mother to their husbands".

Thus, with this in mind, does age make a difference?