by Meghan Rizzo

Created on: October 09, 2009

One of the first 'cougars' (simplified definition: older women who seek the affections of younger men) to arrive on the pop culture scene is Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), a married woman who seeks an affair with a much younger Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) in the film 'The Graduate.' In 1967, the year of the film's release, women like Mrs. Robinson were uncommon, but in recent years the population of cougars has been growing at a steady rate.

In 1999, Jennifer Coolidge played the iconic character Stifler's Mom (whose real name is revealed as Janine, but is rarely used). Her character is all woman and her maturity is highlighted by her choice in clothing (a slinky black dress), her choice of drink (liquor as opposed to keg beer), and in her unwavering confidence in her own sexual prowess. She seduces the one teen in the film who seems a bit ahead of his peers and has since been known as the original M.I.L.F., a phrase coined in the film that we will translate, for the purpose of being family friendly, as 'Mom With Whom I'd Like to Fornicate.'

In the Twenty-first Century, cougars abound both in pop culture and real life. While most do not seek sexual experiences with teenagers - American Pie, after all, was a film lauded for its outrageous irreverence - they do prefer significantly younger men. They refuse to let the advancement in years stifle the advancement of their romantic lives. Most are either divorced, widowed, or have at least had enough long-term relationships for them to have developed a clear notion of what exactly they want in a man and, to the cougar, age is just a number. In fact, a large part of the cougar's appeal lies in her directness with her potential conquests, as well as her sexual experience.

With the advancement of medical technology, knowledge of healthy living, and, of course, the prevalence of plastic surgery, women are living longer and looking better than ever. Upon reaching the once dreaded age of 40 - the new 20! - single women no longer resign themselves to a life wherein house cats are their closest companions. They, instead, update their wardrobes, slap on some make-up, and re-enter the dating scene.

While some cougars are seeking relationships in earnest, others are simply looking to play a game of - pun intended - cat and mouse. The former is a woman who might be older, but doesn't necessarily feel old. With an appreciation for their relative innocence, she relates more to younger men and might wish to reclaim her youth by dwelling in their company. The latter is a true predator looking to reclaim her youth by emulating the 'Girls Gone Wild' lifestyle. These two types of cougars are easily distinguishable in both their dress and their behavior and young men can choose from either group according to their own desires.

Cougars have many role models to look up to. Demi Moore married Ashton Kutcher, 15 years her junior and their relationship is still going strong. Kim Cattrall landed a younger man both on screen and in real life. According to tvland.com, her boyfriend Alan Wyse is twenty-three years younger than she! The same website shows a happy Barbara Hershey dating twenty-one years younger Naveen Andrews of the T.V. show 'Lost.'

Cougars are definitely here to stay. The 'older woman dating younger man' phenomenon is yet another victory for those who wish to see a more female-friendly society. Women should not be shunned simply because they have reached a certain age; rather their wisdom and experience should be embraced and appreciated. While in some areas their feline counterparts might be endangered, the human 'cougar' is far from extinct!

Learn more about this author, Meghan Rizzo.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.