Lions and tigers and ... cougars? Oh my!(Words & Images) (Column)

• Author: Zay, Sarah

EVER SINCE the American lexicon has acknowledged the term ... this crude four-letter acronym begins with the letter "m" and cannot be printed here ... attractive middle-aged mothers are being recognized as more than just housewives--they are seen as seductive sexual figures. So, it comes as no surprise that the country now is experiencing the rise of the "cougar." Search the term in urbandictionary.com, a website where people submit definitions for current slang words and acronyms used in pop culture, and you will find one definition stating that a cougar is "a 35-plus-year-old female who is on the 'hunt' for a much younger, energetic, willing-to-do-anything male. The cougar can frequently be seen in a padded bra, cleavage exposed, propped up against a swanky bar in San Francisco (or other cities) waiting, watching, calculating; gearing up to sink her claws into an innocent young and strapping buck who happens to cross her path." While the multiple definitions provided vary slightly, it is clear that the present-day cougar is an older woman who becomes involved with younger men.

The similarities in these sophisticated and more mature females seem to explain the growing trend. First off, today's woman not only is accepted in the workforce, she is expected to be there. Now, more than ever, women find career opportunities and independence a key factor to a successful and fulfilling life. We have become so accustomed to women working that it is standard practice for a female to establish her career before--and even during--motherhood. Women now outnumber men as college graduates and, in the working world, the wage gap continues to shrink.

Yet, it is not the average working woman who most often is recognized as a cougar. Usually, it is those who attain high levels of success and financial stability who are able to chase--and catch--younger men. Although men still dominate corporate, entertainment, and political structures, the slow introduction of females has played a part in how we perceive gender roles. For instance, it was not until 1981 that Sandra Day O'Connor became the first female Supreme Court Justice. In the succeeding years, three more women have joined the High Court.

Forbes magazine lists three women--including Americans Christy and Alice Walton--among the world's 20 richest billionaires. Although these numbers may appear small, female influence seems to increase with each passing year. Such developments make it easier for women to...