Man you should have no worries at all picking up any ladies. You look good with the buzzed look and would look even better completely shaved IMO. I've gotten more attention from the ladies being sly than I ever did with hair and I'm still a young guy like you. You made an excellent decision. Don't let what your mother said influence you. Like Cavedweller said, moms can have a hard time adjusting. I'm glad I never had to experience that with my mother already gone from this earth but I would have received some harsh words from mine more than likely if she lived when I first did it.
My advice would be to get your shaving cream and razor out and shave your head. You will feel a whole lot better trust me. It's one of the best decisions I've ever made and I'm positive you'll feel that same way. This isn't made to sound pushy at all. One has to do it on his terms but when you do, you will feel wonderful.
I think that your Mom was in denial. You did not "still look OK from the front". You looked like a guy who was doing the "messing up the front thing to disguise hair loss"
And I think that you are 180 degrees wrong about looking older. You looked older when your were "disguising" your hair loss. With a clipper shave you will look like about 80% of all 21 year olds!
Do like the guys say. Keep it super short or razor shaved for 30 days and then make a decision.
Personally, I think you look good with or without hair, but the buzzed look is more sleek and professional on you. It can be a bit of a shock at first, but that's only because you were used to the mop you had; when other people see you all they'll see is another normal young guy.
Like others have said, it might be good to at least try shaving with a razor. It generally grows out to a buzzcut within a week, so if you don't like it you'll be right where you started from. However, once you start shaving and getting used to a completely smooth head, it can be hard to go back. I think you could really pull off the fully sly look.
Keep us posted!