Gerontophilia is the primary sexual attraction to the elderly. A person with such a sexual preference is a gerontophile or gerontosexual. The word gerontophilia was coined in 1901 by psychiatrist Richard von Krafft-Ebing. It derives from Greek: geron, meaning "old person" and philia, meaning "friendship".
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.
The "cougar phenomenon", as it is called, is frequently associated with present-day, glamorous celebrities such as Madonna, Sam Taylor-Johnson and Demi Moore.
There are many reasons why younger men fall for older women, but most commonly, he admires her maturity and experience associated with being an older person. An older woman can also become more confident than a younger woman, and men are extremely attracted to confidence.
The older woman is the cougar, the younger man is the cub. There are other words you can use, but that one is the most specific.
In the United States, "puma" has been used as slang for a cougar minus ten years; she is defined as a woman in her 30s who prefers dating younger men. Hollywood celebrity Jennifer Aniston has long been associated with the term due to her relationships with younger men, most notably John Mayer (nine years younger).
'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.
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.
Of course there is no age limit on feeling sexy. Women and men of every age can ooze sex appeal. With changing hormones and bodies what it is often most important is your attitude and how you feel about yourself.
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.
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.
A person between 30 and 39 is called a tricenarian. A person between 40 and 49 is called a quadragenarian. A person between 50 and 59 is called a quinquagenarian. A person between 60 and 69 is called a sexagenarian.
A relationship between an older woman dating a younger partner can be just as fulfilling as any other relationship. As long as you're both willing to commit to the relationship and put in the work, it's possible to have a healthy and strong relationship regardless of the age difference.
A 2020 large-scale mate preference study across 45 countries showed that men prefer younger and attractive women while women prefer older and financially stable men (1).
A younger man can absolutely find an older woman attractive, and vice versa. Many beautiful women happen to be older; that doesn't mean they're not a good match for a young person! There are many reasons why young people are attracted to older people.
Your skin is another obvious indicator of your age. This doesn't just include wrinkles, but things like dry skin and tired eyes, which can both be avoided. Reddit user Redhaired103 posted in /r/AskWomen that dark circles, pale skin, puffy eyes, and heavy makeup can also make you look older.
“Retinol and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) can rejuvenate the skin and eliminate fine lines and wrinkles,” Dr. Patel says. “Hyaluronic acid helps your skin retain moisture, which gives it a smooth, glowing look.” Opt for serums and night creams with retinol and AHAs, and a daily face moisturizer with hyaluronic acid.
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.
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.
Issues like fertility, starting and blending families, differences in life stages like retirement need to be worked through. But beyond that, there's no such thing as a perfect age gap. No relationship is without flaws, nor are there any guaranteed outcomes. So if you and your mate are decades apart, it may not matter.
"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.
It can certainly be possible for cougar dating relationships to work in the long run. For the relationship to last, there generally needs to be open and honest communication around each individual's needs and desires in a relationship and hopes for the future.