It’s one thing to have high standards in dating. It’s another thing entirely to sound like you’re stuck in the olden days with your expectations. A recent clip of R&B legend Keith Sweat went viral for all the wrong reasons after he took the stage not just to perform, but to vent about why he’s still single at 63.

“I don’t mind tellin’ you I’m single,” he told a crowd. “I done met too many [entitled women]… you gotta bring something to the table to get something from me.”

He went on to say women today “don’t wanna cook no more,” and bragged about doing his own ironing and laundry.

To many online, especially Black women, the energy in his message was less “grown and sexy,” and more ” please sit down.”

One voice that quickly chimed in was none other than Tamar Braxton, who commented, “Cause u with the wrong one cooking for you PopPop.”

Deeper than the jokes, however, Sweat’s comments exposed a generational divide in how men perceive women’s roles and why so many women of his age group are avoiding men like him altogether.

The Tracee Ellis Ross Standard

Tracee Ellis Ross explained a few weeks ago about men similar to Keith Sweat on Michelle Obama’s “IMO” podcast. The 52-year-old powerhouse actress opened up about why she prefers dating younger men, and she may as well have had Sweat in mind when she said it.

“Men my age are steeped in toxic masculinity,” Ross explained. “I did enough of it where I was controlled and felt like I was a possession or a prize — I just have no interest in it.”

Ross made it plain that she’s not here to raise anyone’s son. If that son is old enough to have shared a stage with New Edition, she’s even less likely to sign up for the job.

Her take resonated with countless Black women who’ve experienced older men stuck in outdated gender roles, expecting women to cook, clean, and “bring something to the table,” all while bringing little but audacity.

The Real Issue: It’s Not Women, It’s Age Preference

There are plenty of women in their 50s and 60s who do cook, clean, and hold down successful careers. Unfortunately, those are not the women Keith Sweat is likely referring to. What’s really happening here is that men like Sweat want the benefits of a grown woman while dating someone young enough to be their daughter.

If he were dating women his own age, he might not be running into the so-called “entitled” types. But aiming for younger women, especially those in their 30s, while bringing that tired “what do you bring to the table?” energy is where the disconnect lies.

Women are noticing. There’s a growing class of Black women, especially in the 24-35 age range, who are redefining what dating looks like. They’re emotionally self-aware, financially independent, and not here for the bare-minimum expectations wrapped in old-school values.

Keith Sweat’s frustration isn’t about women being entitled. It’s about women having boundaries, standards, and options. For some men, it is a reality too hard to face.

Tracee Ellis Ross warned everyone. She saw this energy coming from miles away and chose peace, purpose, and fine young suitors instead. All of which is completely understandable.