SinglePicky – these are my own thoughts based on nothing more than my personal feelings on the subject. I think that by the time a girl is 30+ and not married, she has to give serious consideration to being open to the idea of a shidduch that might be with a formerly married man (whether widowed or divorced). Men who are of the appropriate age to marry a girl her age, but who were never married, tend to raise a red flag with me, because I cannot imagine that guys who are good guys would not be snatched up. No matter what anyone says, it is harder for girls to get married than boys, because ultimately, the girl has to wait to be asked by the boy. In the case of a 30 year old, I believe it is easier if there are no children coming with the marriage (especially if divorced), because that creates a tie to the former spouse or her family forever, and if widowed, it might be too much for a young woman to take on a ready-made family at age 30. If the girl is 35 or more, it would be more worrisome if the guy did NOT have at least one child.
I would not want to see a 32 year old involved with someone more than five or six years her senior, unless the fellow is really youthful and takes care of himself. But you know what – MY opinions do not matter, nor do anyone else’s. It is what the person in question’s comfort level is, that determines how she would feel about dating a formerly married man, with or without children, and whatever age. I think girls need to be realistic, and understand that as they age the pool of single, normal, compatible guys gets shallower by the year.