>>23240457
All my ancestors are German/Prussian, where small gaps and later marriage was more common. But in my family tree 5-6 year gaps aren't uncommon.
But if you want to know what women consider preferable, you have to consult the novels they were reading. Like the Jane Austen books where 17 year old girls get courted by 35 year old men and it's portrayed as completely normal. We've lost sight of what women really want.