What is a cougar?

Shortly: A cougar is an older woman who is primarily attracted to and has sex with significantly younger men. 

The most commonly-accepted definition of a cougar is a woman 40 years of age or older who exclusively pursues very young men. The onset of the cougar years is hotly debated. Some feel that a cougar can be as young as 35, but women of this age would not be viewed as cougars unless their sexual conquests were no older than 25; the ten-year age difference seems to be an unspoken but accepted minimum between partners.

Typically, cougars prey upon men almost young enough to be their sons. Thus fortysomething cougars would be attracted to men in their 20s, and fiftysomething cougars would pursue men in their 30s and so on. Some cougars are less interested in a relationship than a sexual conquest, perhaps enjoying the fact that they are physically appealing to men who are considered to be in the prime of their virility.

A cougar may be married or unmarried, and some even go after their daughters’ boyfriends.

Although the term ‘cougar’ comes from the big-game predatory cat of the same name, the cougar connection also may allude to the wearing of animal print clothing by older and more sexually aggressive women.

An early example of the cougar phenomenom was seen in the groundbreaking film The Graduate, in which middle-aged Mrs. Robinson (Ann Bancroft) seduces fresh-out-of-college Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman).

Real-life cougar relationships include Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher (15 years), Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins (12 years), and Barbara Hershey and Naveen Andrews (21 years). 

3 Reasons Why Cougar Dating Has Become So Popular

It seems that ever since around 2005 that the word ‘cougar’ has been silently creeping out of the bushes and causing quite a stir in just about all areas of society.

Whether you believe it or not, it seems as though the cougar world is here to stay for quite some time. As it looks, more and more younger men are compelled to older women for potential mates, as well as older women are with younger men.

From the cougar poster child couple Aston Kutcher and Demi Moore, to more moderate hookups with Madonna and Guy Richie, its seems as though a once taboo subject has started to spread into a more accepting mainstream world.

The reasons why the cougar topic is so popular and talked about could reach in the hundreds, possibly in the thousands. However some of the major reasons that the cougar scene has become so renowned are for obvious reasons – Here are a couple.

1. It is said that the term ‘cougar’ originally came from local bars and pubs from somewhere in Canada. As it goes, the word was coined by younger guys that would see older women approaching younger guys at the bars and compared them to a hungry feline going after her prey – Hints the word ‘Cougar.’

As the topic grew in popularity, so did its provocative reputation. When the word first started to become more popular and well known, most people started looking at it as a raunchy and degenerative characterization to anyone who was connected with the subject or word.

The subject was looked down upon as strictly older women wanting to have short lived explicit relationships with younger men – and nothing else. However, as the cougar term seeped into the world and became more reputable, Hollywood and other facets started playing into the situation that real relationships could be formed with the ‘cougar’ scenario.

With the recognition of tinsel towns first cougar power couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, it proved that older women and younger men relationships could have real substance and long lasting rewards. Thus, the cougar subject was split into real substance versus physical infatuation.

2. Another reason why the cougar women / men dating subject has generated so much talk is because it has broken many molds on many areas. One of the first and most obvious phenomenon is that now, for once, it is accepted that not just older men have the benefits of dating someone there junior – is now is older women.

Never before in modern history has this been so welcome until now. For decades it was perfectly fine for an older man to date someone 5, 10, even 20 years younger… However there was a double standard in society regarding younger men with older women. This feels very liberating and novel for the younger men and older women who have interests and are open to the ‘cougar’ experience.

3. As the word cougar became the shortened meaning for older women and younger men courting and relationships, the word also took on another meaning – empowerment, independence, attitude, and individuation.

As the cougar term and subject continues to grow in strength and popularity, so does the underground movement by self-proclaimed ‘Real Cougars’ and ‘Cubs’ (cougar men), advocating that being a cougar is much more than sex, inter-generational relationships, or even a word – its a lifestyle and person.

The ‘Real Cougar’ is someone who knows what they want, who they are, and are not afraid to pursue and acquire it. If there is a movement that is being directed by a certain group of people in the cougar realm that accounts for its ultimate meaning and nature – the ‘real cougar’ women and men are the ones who are paving the path.

As this new movement progresses and captivates even more of a following it is likely to influence the way people interact with each other in there everyday lives – especially in regards to relationships, communication, attitude, and lifestyles.

The Cougar Dating topic is a very interesting and captivating movement that is starting to change the landscape of society and people in both conscious and subconscious ways.

If it could be compared to anything it could be likened as a start of the modern ‘new 60s’ movement for the 2000’s and beyond.