Bonnie Fuller's Article Has Some Cougars Growling

Last Friday noted editor Bonnie Fuller wrote an article for The Huffington Post entitled "Cougars and MILF's Rule! 40 Year-Old Women Are Way Hotter Than 20 Year-Olds."

In my opinion, Bonnie's was right on when she declared that age is irrelevant and showed pictures of Valerie Bertinelli, Cindy Crawford and Michelle Obama to prove it. But, here's the thing. Did she cross way over the line when she used the highly controversial, make you want to cringe, MILF word when describing all of these fabulous females over 40? According to several of my angry Real Cougars, she not only crossed the line but she ought to be tarred and feathered for it. To illustrate their angst here's part of a blog entry from ms.edna.com.

"To say that this article incensed me is an understatement. First of all how dare she refer to the first lady of our country as a MILF, secondly, even worse, it's coming from another woman. This article should outrage every woman in the world. When are we as women going to stop allowing ourselves to be exploited by this sex sells craze. How can Cindy Crawford be celebrated for exposing her nude soap covered body - no matter how banging? Are we becoming desensitized to 'porn'?

The word 'Cougar' doesn't bother me, as Linda Franklin has done an excellent job of cleaning up that term and making it positive. But MILF, how any woman can embrace that derogatory term and allow herself to be labeled in this matter is horrendous. What ever happened to a woman being praised and appreciated for her beauty and fitness without a sexual connotation being attached to it? To put MILF and our First Lady in the same sentence is an outrage.

Okay, there you have it. Was Bonnie way out of line, or is Ms. Edna blowing this way out of proportion?

Comments

[zphoto]

Beauty was defined by sex.

Our ancestors found certain traits attractive in there partners. Those that prized youth, symmetry and a sweet set of birthing hips we’re consistently successful spawners.

Beauty was born of natural selection.

The “sexual connotation” created the standard of human beauty. Beauty is the product of successful sex. Therefore the idea of “a woman being praised and appreciated for her beauty and fitness without a sexual connotation being attached” is flawed. Trying to separate the two isn’t empowering, it’s dehumanizing.

I’m a guy, and I’m 15 years younger than Cindy Crawford. I like the pictures for the same reason that Ms. Fuller likes them. Cindy still looks hot, super hot. Age is just a number, but lets be honest, she still looks young.

The Lesson: Age doesn’t matter, as long as you don’t look old. (but if you do, rock it anyway. confidence is a lot sexier than bad plastic surgery)

ZBH

[sexycougarlady]

I believe that words only have power if we allow them to. I can remember when the word B*t*c* was a nasty word. Now it is a commonly used word. There is no word for men over 40 because the world to some degree is still managed by men. They are afraid of coming to terms with age and there fore don't wish to be tagged. As a woman over the age of 40 I am not only aware of my own sexuality and independence but revel in it. I am smarter, fitter, and sexier than I have ever been in my life. I know what I want out of life, know how to get it and have enough determination to make it happen. I don't find her article offensive in any way. Before we were cougars we were mlfs. I heard that term the first time when my daughters were in school and never realized that in time those same boys who became men would be the age of the men I now date. I like to think that unless something draws attention from the media that it never changes. Any publicity is good publicity. Whatever people are talking about makes change. It gets the idea out and in the public eye. I think she should be commended not crucified for taking a stand and voicing her opinion. It is strong women like her that are changing the face of America as we know it.

[elsie900]

I don't care for either term. There's no slang term for a man over 40 who looks good, is there? No matter what word you use, you're still defining us by our looks.

[Thor Haglund]

There is to a term, and it has been around for a LONG time. It's a silver fox.

[djwfutbol]

Prefer the term "Hot Mom" myself. The F is implied, I suppose, but it's a whole lot less crude, in my opinion. For me, it is affectionate, respectful and appreciative without anticipating any further action on anyone's part. Of course, it flies in the face of the current trend to use initials for everything.

As to "Cougar", I find that a bit frightening and, as I am starting to discover, with good reason. I'm thinking my best bet is to hide behind the furniture and hope it all goes away but what fun would that be?