A true cougar is a woman who's forty years old or older who exclusively pursues younger men for fun, flings, or relationships. Although an older woman chasing younger men has been around since history began, today we are seeing older women being deliberately hunted by younger men. Why? Younger men are enthralled, intrigued, and turned on by being with an older "hot" woman.

These younger men are typically fed up with the drama, insecurities, and games of their contemporaries. Therefore, a strong, confident, independent, sophisticated, and intelligent older woman is extremely desirable to them. An older woman who feels great in her own skin radiates a natural beauty that is intoxicating to these younger men.

The cougars are generally attracted to a younger man because of his looks, vitality, optimism, and enthusiasm for life. This is very different from men her own age who are often full of baggage and worn out from life. The younger man offers her more energy, stamina, and knows how to have a great time. To top it off, the cougar and her boy toy have more compatible sex drives. If they are both in it for the carefree amusement― it is goodbye fertility and hello fun. Sex no longer is about having or avoiding babies; it is purely just for the enjoyment, which is a major turn on for both of them.

Some research adds a little twist to why older woman seek out younger men. These theories state that from an evolutionary perspective, middle-aged women are "wired" to have more sex, especially with a younger, more virile man, because it is harder to get pregnant as she ages. So the more sex she has, especially with a younger man, the greater the chance of her getting pregnant becomes.

With all of this fun, attraction, and sex, how could a cougar relationship go wrong? The answer lies in the picking. The reasons for picking a partner reflect heavily on the success or failure of a relationship.

If a cougar, for instance, picks a younger man because she thinks she'll be more in control and therefore there's less of a chance of getting hurt,or, if she just wants a "trophy" that will impress others, then the success rate for these relationships will be low.

However, if the cougar is picking her younger man because he enjoys the same things, they connect, and have lots of fun together the chance for long-term success is just as likely as in any other relationship.

In reality, age is not the problem -- different values, lifestyles, life stages, and poor relationship skills are. Of course all of these elements could be linked to age, but they can also occur due to one's upbringing, family life, or personal habits.

If a cougar or her younger man have different values, lifestyles, poor communication skills, the inability to compromise, and an unwillingness to understand their partner's viewpoint -- success is not likely. In addition with the couple being at different life stages it often creates major trouble for the longevity of their relationship.

The biggest deal breaker in many of these relationships is procreation itself. If the younger man wants to have children and experience fatherhood but the cougar has already raised her children and is now past this stage, the likelihood of them staying together for the long-term is not good.

As with any couple, if the relationship is built on love, respect, mutual interests, and great communication, a cougar and her boy toy may actually end up with a great long-term relationship!

