To have attraction to ward the opposite sex is very natural phenomena. So you commonly find that mother loves more to the son and father loves his daughter more than he loves his son. The vise verse is also true. Some times this persists in adulthood also. In such cases the girl finds the sexual partner who is similar to her father.
I am 22 an my husband is 52. I have no answer, people assume it is for money - he is a divorced father of 6 - what money??? I work full time and he is a stay at home father! Emotionally, they yearn for maturity,comfort, and security. A case could be made that they're looking for a father-figure, but not exclusively. An older man is more likely to treat a younger woman with great care, like a father would. Some young girls need that, so they seek older men. The same is true in the case of an older woman and a younger man. A la the Odipus complex.
Practical, proactive, results oriented and straightforward is how Odipus is as a ruler in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus anticipates his people's needs by keeping tabs on his city and taking action before meeting with them. He comes up with a battle plan against the pestilence. He leaves the channels of communication open about the identification and punishment of King Laius' killer.
Sophocles, an ancient Greek playwright, is known for writing famous tragedies such as "Antigone," "Oedipus Rex," and "Electra." These plays explore themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of one's actions. Sophocles is considered one of the greatest tragedians of his time.