There’s a heck of a lot of older people “out there” and back in the dating game!

These new statistics have also brought with them a new and unprecedented trend – that of older women dating younger men. This shouldn’t come as any surprise considering today’s older woman usually works out and looks great well into middle age and beyond.

Physical attraction isn’t the only thing she’s got going for her either.

Older women are more likely to be a lot more self-assured, completely at ease with their sexuality, know how to make a man feel good, be far more interesting, successful and self-reliant.

All things that a lot of younger men find an irresistible alternative to needy, angst ridden, insecure “twenty-somethings”, who are often on the lookout for a meal ticket and emotional crutch!

You can pretty much guarantee that if an older woman is involved with a man of any age, it’s because she “wants” to be with him rather than “needs” to be.

But why would an older woman want to be with a younger guy anyway?

Well, have you come across the phrase “Cougar Women”?

photo credit: ndanger

It’s the name that is often applied to older women who actively pursue younger men for love, sex and relationships.

I guess it is sex and passion that first springs to mind when you think about it.

Women reach their sexual peak at a much later age than men – therefore the younger man/older woman combination can be sexual dynamite.

But there are many reasons beyond sexual appetite and lusting after a young, well-toned male physique that inspires a cougar to go for a much younger partner.

Younger men tend to be much less cynical about life and more open to excitement and adventure. An older woman, fresh out of a dull and draining marriage will find this a real turn on and a means to getting the thrills from life that she now seeks.

A lot of older women also enjoy the opportunity to mold and mentor their younger partner as he ages and matures. That way, she enjoys a sense of power as she introduces him to aspects of life that he might not yet have experienced.

This can be a huge turn on for a younger man as he is gently (or sometimes roughly!) taken by the hand and shown the way by a sophisticated older woman confident in herself and her abilities.

There are many cougar women in the public spotlight who have chosen to live their lives with younger men – Susan Sarandon, Madonna, Demi Moore amongst them.

As is often the way, the celebrity seal of approval for a new phenomenon is often all it takes for it to soon become accepted as the norm.