IN WHICH I CONSIDER THE DICKTATORSHIP OF SEXIST LABELS: WORDS MATTER.
Dearest Reader: To get you into the mood, the soundtrack for this post is the beyond hot “Age Ain’t a Factor” by Jaheim — and watch the sexy video after for continued inspiration, as well.
When Madonna was on the Ellen Show speaking of dating a twenty-two year-old, Ellen De Generis pointed out that when men do that, nobody bats an eyelash. That’s because the double standard is entrenched — it’s a given, plain and simple, that older men dating younger women is absolutely acceptable. Unfortunately, through our acquiescence and hesitance to challenge the status quo, we women have been unwitting accomplices in perpetuating this myth that men dating younger women is appropriate, while women doing the same is somehow improper.
Why, so foreign, nay creepy, a concept is an older woman with a younger man, it’s attracted a vicious label: “Cougar.” Indeed, such a sense of entitlement is attached to the concept of men dating younger women, and it’s considered so normal, there isn’t even a like label for them: yet another double standard.
We allowed this “C-word” to slip, unquestioned, into mainstream acceptability and familiarity. Now it’s up to us to liberate clueless men from the delusional viewpoint that only THEY are privy to the privilege of dating younger. As noted previously, the sexist “C-word” must be banished from our vocabulary; just as the label “Man” has proven enough to describe a male who dates younger females, the label “Woman” is sufficient to describe a female who dates younger males.
Activate your activism — I do, 24/7. For example, when a young twenty-something who’s hitting on me online refers to me as a “Cougar” (that’s right, hitting on me and says that!) I say, “Nope, I’m a Woman.” Then I delete his sorry ass. You bash? Then you trash, dude.
We women must, moreover, embrace our healthy, natural inclinations. (What is hotter than a strapping young buck, rock hard and ready to rock it downtown till we scream for mercy?) Besides, young things are so tender and yummy — baby carrots, baby peas, baby back ribs, baby lamb chops — when we consider the ever-delicious hot meal of male, succulent young entrées deserve a place on that buffet!
I salute those already-liberated of our sex who choose theirs fresh-picked. But those sexy heroines who pioneered the way deserve to be honored, as well.
Here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson.
Yours truly,
