As someone who just turned 40, trust me when I say their mindset doesn't really change even well into their 30s. That's not to say all women are alike but I've seen the mindset you describe from an attractive 36 yo co-worker/friend of mine. She started dated a much younger guy in a different department in our company over 2 years ago. As far as I know he doesn't physically abuse her but he dominates her emotionally and makes her put up with a lot of sh## that she shouldn't have to. Yet she puts up with it despite all her friends and even herself admitting the guy is awful for her. This is an attractive woman with a degree from a top 25 university and a law degree and she puts up with all this crap when she could land just about any guy she wants. She just admitted one day that "he's just so good looking" (shakes head). I mean he's a decent looking guy but I don't see the great looking part.

I've almost given up trying to figure out women...lol. They say they want this and that yet they go for something completely different. The woman I took a complete "I don't give a s###" attitude with and acted cocky and borderline aholish with would drive multiple hours to see me the second I asked her to if I wanted her to but I have a conscience and don't believe in messing with people's feelings like that. I made it clear that I just want to be friends but I feel doing that is like dangling a steak in front of a hungry lion. It seems like up means down and left means right with most women. I'm convinced I'll never understand them...lol