Although its original meaning is a type of feline, the term “cougar” has evolved to refer to a woman who goes for a younger man. While intended to describe women in their 30s and 40s who pursue men that are more than eight years younger than them, it has made its way onto college campuses describing a senior or junior girl who goes for a freshman or sophomore boy.
Whether you yourself have been referred to as this so-called “cougar,” or one of your friends has, it never fails to be a topic that turns heads and sparks a lot of outside commentary. But why is it that an older guy can go for a younger girl without so much as an eyebrow raised; yet an older girl can’t do the same with a younger guy? There are plenty of women, and sometimes even men, who claim it has to do with the difference in maturity level: “He’s not mature enough,” or “He’s just intimidated by you” are responses that never seem to get old. While this may be true in some cases, in plenty it is far from the truth and just an easy out for both the guy and the girl. It is simply not possible to categorize an entire gender into one small sect of maturity. So the question remains: Is the cougar lifestyle an acceptable one?
I would venture to say yes. Age is just a number, as the old saying goes, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to the topic of cougs. While 10 or more years are a significant amount of difference, 2-3 is hardly any. There is nothing wrong with finding someone younger who you mesh with. Every person is at their own maturity level and looking for something different. Some guys come to school acting chivalrous, while others learn the art of chivalry. Some girls act catty through all four years, while others are genuine and true. Although we grow and mature a great deal while in college, it has very little to do with our actual age; it’s more about the experiences and the challenges we face and how we handle them. It’s about the relationships we form, how we treat others, and what we take from both the good and the bad.
A friend once said to me “Guys climb up the ladder of cool through their four years here.” And if you really think about it, in a sense this rings true. Whether it is for good or for bad, girls get away with a lot more from the moment they step onto campus, while guys go through hell and back in their first year. But as the years go on, they slowly rise up the ladder, step by step, until they reach their “cool” throne. So snatch that guy before he sits on his throne, knowing he can get whatever he wants. If you’re one of those ladies being called a cougar, take pride in it. After all, if Cher, Madonna, and Jennifer Aniston can do it, so can you.