mX Column: The Rise of the Cougar

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mX Column: The Rise of the Cougar

By Emma ⋅ February 14, 2010 ⋅ Post a comment

It might be the Year of the Tiger but another big cat is on the prowl.

Demi started it. Then Samantha fell for Smith and we all fell right along with her. Now Susan Sarandon has broken all records by reportedly dating a 31-year-old man that her son introduced her to. She’s 63.

However much you may loathe the word (and I do – I think we could come up with a much nicer term for it), the age of the cougar has dawned.

As I was reading all about Sarandon’s new relationship at my mother’s house, I turned to my husband and my mum, who were sitting next to each other on the couch and said: “That’s like you two getting together!”

They looked at each other and physically recoiled, much to my amusement.

In my official research – which involved interrogating all my 30-something male friends – I found two types of men: Those who would happily date an older woman and those that weren’t comfortable with the idea.

Until you start pulling out the celebrity examples.

“What about Heather Locklear? Would you go there?” Most would.

Not surprisingly, Teri Hatcher also got the blanket nod of approval.

Most guys don’t realise how old these gorgeous women are, because after all, 40 is the new 30.

But why is it that the older woman-younger man phenomenon seems so ubiquitous right now? Perhaps it’s the final frontier on the taboo dating front?

Cougar Town has started airing, cougar dating agencies are springing up and the net is rife with advice for men on how to snare a cougar.

It all makes a great case for dating mature women.

More often than not, a woman in her 30s or older has faced her insecurities and dealt with them.

She has enough life experience to know what matters and what doesn’t and is above the petty, flighty nonsense that governs the emotions of some younger girls.

An older woman has her own life, her own cash and her own career, not to mention the self-confidence to handle whatever comes her way.

And, according to all reports, sex with an older woman is some of the best you’ll ever have.

What’s in it for the ladies? Well, it seems that younger men have fewer hang-ups than their middle-aged counterparts.

They’re more enthusiastic, more willing to talk about their feelings and they know how to make a woman feel sexy.

Not to mention, they’re more adaptable, which is perfect for a woman who’s already figured out what she wants out of life and who likes to be in charge.

Now if we could just find another word for these mature goddesses.

Any suggestions?

First published on 12 February 2010 in mX Newspaper.