Older women dating younger men is being called cougar dating, and is a blossoming trend these days.
In the past,it seemed to raise eyebrows when an older woman was seen with a much younger man, but, not any more.
It has long been accepted when older men date much younger women.
And, now, finally, things are turning around.
Let's look at why this is happening, and what men need to realize if they want to be successful at Cougar dating.
We can even take a guess at why the label "Cougar".
Young and many middle-aged men today have an entirely different attitude toward women than their Fathers and Grandfathers did at the same age.
The older men grew up in a very different time.
Women were mostly seen in limited roles, secretary, nurse, teacher and perhaps airline stewardess.
Their major role was to keep the home and raise the children.
Certainly never in a managerial or executive position.
And, Pro sports...
unheard of.
My Grandfather, and many like him, thought a college education for a girl was a waste of time and money.
Fortunately, my Dad didn't listen to him! The world has changed greatly in the last 40 plus years, and especially women's role in it.
Men's attitudes toward women of all ages, are totally different.
Women's attitudes toward women are entirely different, as well.
Everyone is recognizing women as the valuable member of the work force she can be.
She is encouraged to use her brains, abilities and instincts.
Some older men still have a hard time with these changes.
They find it very difficult to work for a female boss, and certainly would never vote a woman into a public office.
Fortunately, younger men can view women as equals in a way that older generations struggle with.
Younger men may wish to date older women because the women in their own age group seem childish and immature.
They can see the value of time and experience, and can respect the fact that women are not needy, but, are in fact, very capable.
The younger men do not seem to be jealous of, or fearful of successful women.
They have no need to put them down.
Older women are, more than ever before, typically financially independent.
They can earn it themselves.
They don't need or even want a man's money.
When they look for a man, they want someone vibrant, with a youthful attitude, who treats them with equality and respect.
And this may be one reason older men sometimes date younger women.
Because they're younger and more needy.
The younger women better fit their older ideas of women needing to be taken care of financially while staying at home and being wives and mothers.
They aren't yet so apt to be career oriented.
Both the older man and the older woman may be looking to recapture something of youth.
It may make them feel younger to be with a person who is younger than they are.
But seldom is that the only reason.
Both also want someone who respects them and their position.
Mature women find this hard to find in older men because their position is one the older man doesn't understand.
And one other point with older men.
Men peak sexually much younger than women, and by age 40 are probably passing their prime.
Women are just getting there.
This may have, for some women, an influence on their preference for younger men.
Depending on the man's attitude.
Some older men cannot see women as equal sexual partners.
Again, the more subservient place.
The woman's passions are not recognized for what they are.
And, we may have just hit upon a reason for the "Cougar" label.
As Helen Reddy sang, "I am Woman, hear me roar...
" Is the Cougar not a beautiful, capable animal of passion? Hmmm! Perhaps it is not a mis-match.
If you want to be successful at Cougar dating, regardless of your age, it will pay you to keep these thoughts in mind.
The mature woman wants to be with someone who views them as a complete and equal person, strong, capable and sexual.
They don't want an older man's outdated views of the roles of women to hold them back.
You will be successful if you treat her like the strong, independent woman she is.