:For the member of the cat family, see puma

While somewhat vague in its truest definition, and intentionally so, the term “cougar” is typically slang for human females, usually over the age of 35, who intentionally seek out the attention and interest of younger males for social/romantic interaction. The interactions frequently manifest themselves at a bar or pub, where males in their 20s will be approached and seduced by a seemingly confident and capable woman who displays a hyper-sexual drive.

Cougars are typically successful women in their own right, professionally, not needing the reliance of a mate to support them financially. In a reversal of the trophy wife/girlfriend stereotype for wealthy and successful men, these women are now able to attract trophy boys with their equal and notable success. Cougars will frequently have been married previously, or involved in very long-term relationships that eventually failed.

Part of the theory as to why women will actively “hunt” men of much younger age involves a biological necessity. While these women may not be consciously aware of their impending infertility, their bodies are primed hormonally to accept a young, virile mate.

Because these females now have the financial means to be independent, the hormonal drive to be sexually active, and the social confidence to assert themselves, younger males who are likely lacking all of the aforementioned traits are easily susceptible to their advances. A cougar is likely able to use such men to satisfy her need for attention and sexual appetite in a much more aseptic and unattached way; something stereotypical of young men.

Cougars have become such a widely recognized social phenomenon, Valerie Gibson published a definitive guide for the women attempting to engage in such activity [1973].

Opposing Forces ==

The cougar is smart and sophisticated in the ways of male/female relationships and dynamics, usually due to the aforementioned pervious relationships, but she has a tragic flaw: her need for validation. Built into the sociological construct is the conscious thinking by the female that she is “only looking for a good time,” and that her activities are not harmful, indeed possibly liberating. To again parallel the trophy wife phenomenon, the problem is typically that the cougar is seeking validation after failed relationships and is attempting the attention of younger, more desirable males to serve as societal proof that they have not lost their “social marketability.” That they still “got it.”

Enter the cougar-hunter.

Young men are well aware of the cougar personality, and have been able to exploit it for their own gain. Because the cougar is typically looking for validation through sexual contact with the young men they have just met at a bar and the men are typically looking for sexual contact wherever it’s easily obtained, young men will eagerly accept the advances of some cougars knowing the ultimate fate of the encounter.

While each side, in effect, receives exactly what he/she wanted from the interaction, the cougar is typically unfulfilled in her attempts to validate self due to her own hunting philosophy being used against her. A con is only effective when the mark is unaware of his status.

Groups of men have been known to turn cougar-hunting into a sport, of sorts, ranking their “kills” with differing point values base upon age, physical attractiveness, financial worth, and efficiency. The most points scored during a set period of time determines the winner. Parallels have often been drawn to the military pastime of hogging.

== In The Wild ==

Cougars can frequently been spotted at commercially trendy bars and clubs, intentionally picking places that will define them as “hip” and “cool” within the city they reside. They typically are fashionably dressed, understand basic make-up and beautification techniques, and eager to digress about upcoming bands, movies, and celebrities in their attempt to look, and feel, young.

Cougars will frequently complain about exceedingly trivial things, trying to show contempt for the status-quo.

For a more humorous, and visual, example, characters from the hit television show Sex and the City are often referenced. Celebrity examples include the oft cited Demi Moore for dating and marrying Ashton Kutcher.

== External links

CougarHunter.ca - Guide to dating older women.

[1974]

[1975]

Urban Cougar