Since 2005, when Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher popularized the relationship of an older woman and a younger man, it seems the U.S. has become obsessed with calling women cougars and that popular culture is capitalizing on the slang.
What does manther mean? A manther is the male version of a cougar, or a middle-aged woman who has the hots for younger men. Manthers are older men who pursue partners significantly younger than them.
cradle-snatcher
someone who has a romantic or sexual relationship with a much younger partner (thefreedictionary.com)
Men who are attracted to older women are often emotionally intelligent and are able to navigate complex emotions and relationships with ease. They are able to empathise with others and are sensitive to their needs and feelings. They can understand emotions very well without being too critical.
New Word Suggestion. [opposite of cougar] A middle-aged man who seeks sexual or romantic relationships with much younger women.
'Puma' is generally used to refer to Latin American cats, while 'cougar' is a North American term, but the distinction is unclear. So you might find yourself talking about mountain lions, cougars, pumas, Florida panthers, catamounts or even léons – but remember: they're all the same cool cat.
Despite Moore's attempt to use the terms interchangeably, a puma is widely regarded as a woman under 40 who prefers younger men while the cougar label is applied to women in their 40s and 50s who seek out younger male companions who are at least 10 years younger and often half their age.
Age should not be a barrier to love and companionship. There is no reason why a relationship between an older woman and younger man cannot work long term, provided both partners are committed and willing to put in the work.
In short, research seems to indicate that in many cultures, an age gap of 1 to 3 years is considered ideal — but some researchers suggest even a relationship with an age gap of less than 10 years will bring more satisfaction.
A younger man is confident in his feelings if he displays his affection. He'll smile, laugh, and flirt with you out in the open without caring what other people may think, and this is a tell-tale sign he likes you. Keep from shying away from his advances and embrace his confidence if you like him too.
A relationship age gap bigger than 10 years often comes with its own set of issues. “While there are always exceptions to rules, a good rule to remember is that dating someone more than 10 years older will present challenges now or later that add to the preexisting challenges any relationship has,” he says.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with dating even much younger men, flirting, and enjoying their attention. Some young men just prefer older women. They may value your experience and self-confidence. They may feel wired that way, sometimes because of delightful early experiences with older women.
1. Is it wrong to date someone 20 years younger than you? As long as you're both old enough to be consenting adults, it can only be wrong if you two think there's something wrong with it. Unless you have an issue with the dynamics of your relationship, there's no one else who can say what you're doing is wrong.
The "cougar phenomenon", as it is called, is frequently associated with present-day, glamorous celebrities such as Madonna, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Demi Moore.
The only reliable way to determine the gender of a mountain lion is to look closely at the genital area. Adult and sub-adult male lions have a conspicuous black spot of hair, about one inch in diameter, surrounding the opening to the penis sheath behind the hind legs, and about four to five inches below the anus.
Male mountain lions are larger and have bigger paws and longer strides than females. Males also have a black spot of hair 4 to 5 inches below its anus, according to the Division of Wildlife Web site.
Age Gaps in Relationships: Find Common Ground
The truth is, there is no ideal or appropriate age gap in a relationship. Whether it's a 20 year age gap relationship or a 5 year age gap relationship, there will be both challenges and benefits to your situation.
Research suggests that an age gap of 27 to 32 months may be associated with the best health outcomes for mother and child. In terms of sibling relationship, siblings who are closer in age tend to fight more but are also closer which may have positive benefits for social skills.
There is no exact maximum or minimum acceptable age difference considered good or bad in a relationship. Research shows that married couples with a one-year age gap have a much lower chance of separation than couples with large age gaps.
She finds the relationship more exciting
A younger man is high on energy and more open to new experiences. He may be more willing to experiment and take off on an impromptu adventure. Older men may not be able to be as risky. This quality adds excitement to a relationship between an older woman and a younger man.
Older ladies also tend to be emotionally mature, stable, confident, and independent. Attractive older women are less likely to be needy or jealous in a relationship. All of these great qualities mean that older women are often considered attractive women!
“Cougars” are popularly defined as women in their 40s (or older) who date significantly younger men, generally at a 10-year age gap or more.
"I don't hunt. I am the hunted." In fact, calling a woman a cougar is unfair and derogatory. It implies a predatory relationship in which the woman stalks her prey while the young man she sets her sights on is the hapless victim, powerless once trapped.