I don't criticise age range in relationships. Yes, from the older person's view it would seem like he's dating a somewhat minor. But from the woman's perceptive, it is more about respect. Older men treat them with more respect than men of her age. I bet that was why you dated older men too when you were younger. Trashing the same practice you are guilty of, is hypocritical.

Why is it a problem for men to date young girls, when we women prefer to date older men when we are young?

Patriarchy or not, I still advise younger girls to date older men because they know what they want from a relationship more than younger men (say five years or less) her age.

Girls start thinking of stability in relationships from the young age of 15, which explains why we often go for old men. Now unless she's in an abusive relationship (which happens in younger men dating too) I see no reason why we should continue to criticise age differences for men or women.