Things are relative. If you are in your 60s...by all mean, date women in that age group or even in their 50s.Oh yeah ... dating sorority girls when you are forty five is an enormous confidence builder ... especially when you aren't rich. At 46 I can tell you it's true from experience. I can also tell you there are plenty in my age group available and worth dating too. Why limit yourself? Life IS what you make of it! Not what the stereotypes want you to believe!
However, here is the thing...you are 46. So dating women around your age group when you are 46 is more than okay.
I mean, I don't see you dating women in their 50s or 60s. Correct? And I'mn sure some of those women are "okay" too.
For the same token, why should we encourage men in their 30s and 20s to get involved in relationships with women that are considerably older than them? When they have at their reach the same YOUNG, SORORITY girls that you -at 46- are currently boning?
It is about choices...and when a man has choices (choices that come as a by-product of self improvement) then he should pick what's best for him.
By the way, I like your story. It is a clear indication that self-improvement comes with many faces. You don't have to become a PhD to self-improve. You can do it different ways. As long as you are happy.