Apparently, snagging a younger man is the latest trend, on-screen and off. Vivica Fox has the new show actually called “The Cougar”, and Courtney Cox is about to star in “Cougarland”.

And we won’t even start with the Demi/Ashton thing.

I just got an email about a survey SpeedDate.com did on the trend. The results were really interesting!

What is an acceptable age gap between an older woman dating a younger man?

• 45% said 0 – 5 years; 38% said 5 – 10 years; 17% said 10 + years

Men were asked if they’d ever had a relationship with a “cougar”

• 27% said Yes; 73% said No

If no, would you ever date a “cougar?”

• 56% said Yes; 44% said No

If yes, do you prefer to date older women rather than women that are more your age?

• 33% said Yes; 67% said No

Women were asked if they’d ever been in a relationship where they were the “cougar”

• 35% said Yes; 65% said No

If no, would you ever date a man much younger than you?

• 43% said Yes; 57% said No

If yes, do you prefer to date younger men rather than older men your age?

• 23% said Yes; 77% said No

Where do you stand on these stats???

Image: Sxc.hu

Post from: Blisstree

The Rise of the Cougar

This morning I checked my Plenty of Fish account and I had two emails in there. One from a young man of 24. I am 42. It said something along the lines of, “Great pics. What’s up?”

Well, young man, I am reading my messages while I wait for my new son, Greg, (I inherited a  teenager a few weeks back) to come out here so that I can give him a ride to school.

I thought about various number-related comparisons, like…. I am 18 years older than he is. My son, Max, is 18, so I’m an entire Max’s lifetime older than he is. Greg is almost 18, as well, so can you see how this is sort of creepy to me?

Women do this, I know that they do, and with even younger men.  I have a good friend who sometimes spends time with a younger man and I encourage her to do so, because they enjoy the time that they spend together. When I think of the two of them, it seems very “normal.” Why does it feel so odd or wrong for me to even think about doing the same thing?

I wonder if the reason I don’t want to do that – Cougar it up – is because I’m lazy. If I was with a young man I’d need to be in better shape, I’d worry about lighting or better yet, stay in the dark. What would I talk to him about?  Would he call me, “dude?” Or Mrs. Smith?  Okay, now I’m just being ridiculous.

Part of me wants to respond. I am curious why this boy contacted me. What would be the harm in saying hello?  This reminds me of another friend who is in her 20s, the latter part of her 20s, and she’s attracted to a man who is….I think 23 or 24. She feels odd about the age difference and she’s still in the same decade.

What would you do if a much younger man (or woman, if you’re a man) contacted you?  What is your age cut-off?  A 5 year difference?  A 10 year difference?  I’d really like some feedback if you’ve got the time.

Post from: Blisstree

Could I Be A Cougar?

It’s kind of a role reversal for me, because ever since I was 15, I was always into older guys. Of course, we can see how well that worked out for me, but still…

Honestly, I got a message from a 21 year old kid about two weeks ago that left me absolutely floored. He was a little nervous (so it seemed at first) to suggest we communicate, but then proceeded to tell me that his ex was even older than I am, and he prefers older women because we know what we want… yadda blah pthbbt. Turned out after I got chatting with him that it seemed more like he was really after a “more experienced in the sack” woman to jump into said sack with.

In the past week or so, I’ve either messaged, talked with, or gone out with guys who are 5 or more years younger than me! It’s got me wondering, because I keep talking to my friends and they’re all for it.

“Go on, girl! Get you a younger man!”
“Young boys wanna please you, and you deserve that for once. Go’head!”
“Men in their mid-late 30’s and early 40’s have baggage and issues and will take them out on you.” (That one has been PROVEN to me quite recently!)

So at 31 years of age, as a woman who still wants a family of her own, am I limiting myself unjustly by keeping my searches limited to guys 28-38? Should I be more open about who I’m willing to give a shot to? Or does that make me some kind of cradle-robbing cougar? What do you think are the chances that a 31 year old woman and a 24 year old man could get together, connect, fall in love, get married, and make babies? Aren’t young guys still “playing the field”?

Post from: Blisstree

Oh no… Am I a “Cougar”?