Relationship Dating: Older Women are not Cougars

Women have made significant strides in eliminating the barriers and double standards that were so commonplace a generation ago. It doesn't mean we as a society have reached the equal opportunity plateau but things are changing.
Yet the double standard in some areas not only exists but remains entrenched. A perfect example is in the older woman younger man relationship.

When the shoe is on the other foot; namely an older man young woman, it seems the perspective changes significantly. After all it's been around and accepted longer than most of us can remember. An older man gets a pat on the back while listening to an overwhelming majority of people sing his praises. He's still got it is a common refrain.

Not so for the older woman. It's all too often considered indecent or shameful that she would even think about dating someone outside of her age group. Never mind the fact that both parties are two consenting adults that just happen to find each other attractive while enjoying their time together.  

Currently there is a new terminology for older woman younger man dating called cougar dating. The implication is fun and intimacy without any serious commitment and for many adults that's okay.

But in essence cougar means on the prowl ready to pounce on any unsuspecting prey and moving on. Also understand that term does not apply to both parties. Specifically it is the older woman seen as the predator.

Yes some sophisticated older women may be interested in nothing more than a one night stand or a May - December romance. But as you have already figured out that is also the way it is with many older men and yet no one calls that type of relationship lion dating. 

Whether certain well to do unattached older women made up the name for themselves is irrelevant. The point is society has decided to latch on to the phraseology and paint this kind of relationship as something other than what it is.

People are people and no matter what the age range and or difference there are different motivations and desires at work when it comes to a relationship.

For the majority of older women younger men it is about two individuals. Nothing more, nothing less. Like any dating relationship, there is attraction a certain amount of compatibility and a willingness to see if there is something to build on. The fact that an older woman is singled out and labeled for being in this kind of a relationship tells you as a society we still have a long way to go when it comes to female equality.