Has the Baby Boomer Man Gone to Sleep on the Job?

By now most of us have heard of the so-called cougar, that sexy older woman who is all about town with a handsome younger guy. Between the articles, websites and movies, cougars are everywhere. And while its great that women who are over 40 are actually being talked about as the vibrant, sexy creatures we are, there are some problems. First of all, the circulating definition of cougar narrows who we are. The Real Cougar woman is a fascinating character study. She is changing the social landscape of this country. She is revolutionizing, how woman over 40 see themselves. She is sexy, smart, independent and not afraid to take risks. I find it fascinating to dig deep to see what motivates her, what scares her and how she handles the joy and the pain that accompany her evolution.

The Real Cougar is ready to shake things up. She isn't afraid to walk away from what is no longer working. But, here's the other problem. How is that affecting her male counterpart? What's happening to the boomer man? Is the former "King of the Jungle" limping along dragging his tail between his legs? And, the big question is, will this sleeping lion, wake up and start fighting for what he wants? I think he will find his roar and that's what will ignite the next big trend in this country.

But, to be more specific, the thing that will get the sleeping lions roaring again, will be survival. Getting to the point where they are sick and tired of being sick and tired. Fed up with being bored and lethargic. Willing to challenge their macho egos rather than have their women walk out the door. Nothing kills a relationship faster than not working at it. First your sex life goes. Following close behind is communication and before you know it, you're left with only anger and resentment. Traditionally, it has been the man who has left when things got bad. But, now the woman is taking the initiative and walking away.

So guys, you have been asleep at the switch. I know it takes two to tango, but you have to shoulder a big part of the responsibility. Too many of the boomer men have become complacent, lazy and angry. They are feeling their age, but instead of recreating themselves, they are wallowing in self pity. They're not taking care of their health, both physical and emotional and all those unresolved issues are now coming back to haunt them.

The lion has lost his roar and whether he is married, divorced or single, he is losing out to the younger man. The Cougar Hunter is winning. The younger man with the passionate dreams, the robust sex drive and a real appreciation for the Cougar Woman is capturing the brass ring.

But there is hope. One thing I know for sure about boomer men is they are competitive as hell. They don't like to lose. That's why I am confident they are going to wake up and start fighting to get back what they've lost. They are going to step up to the plate. Here's a few hints on how to do that:

* find something that will reignite your passion for life and get you out of the old familiar rut
* turn off the TV - start exercising and lose that pot belly
* do whatever it takes to revive your sex drive - first step - have your testosterone levels checked
* start focusing on the things you like about your woman not what you don't like
* create intrigue, woman love it - any positive change in your behavior will intrigue her (but it has to be genuine or it won't work)
* reconnect with the romance
* stop feeling sorry for yourself

The Real Cougar woman is worth fighting for. She is smart, sexy, independent and wants to be loved and adored. So Boomer Guys - stop focusing on age....it's not about age. The Real Cougar has already figured that out. It's all about attitude! Show your woman you've still got what it takes to make her laugh. Show her you've got what it takes to make her happy in bed. Reconnect with your passion and I guarantee your tail won't be dragging any more. Aren't you ready to roar?

Follow Linda Franklin on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Real Cougar Wom

Comments

[HeevenSteven]

"Cougars" are nothing new; it's just that they've been discovered by the media-industrial complex.

Guys like uncomplicated sex, and will admit it. It's convenient symbiosis; but as pointed out here by grendl, women will assert a more noble agenda. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

[nm713]

Every point that's made in this article I've experienced with the two men I've been involved with, one who is in his mid 40s and one who is 29. The man in his 40s is accomplished and smart, deeply respected in his field. But to talk to him is to only know how he cowers. The man who's just under 30, a former military man, spends most of his days trying to figure out what his next best move will be. To talk to him is to know excitement and hope and possibility. And that's who the Real Cougars want because that's who we are. For whatever fears we may have, we don't live by them and gauge every decision by them. We want to say the same about the men we love.

[grendl]

The Boomer Man king of the Jungle is dating 25 year olds. Just like the Cougars. So the mid life crisis isn't just for men anymore. Women can be just as shallow ( although they'll assert a more noble agenda )

Maybe thats the way it should be. Older people, at least the insecure ones, just resent the hell out of their spouse for growing older in this society which had always placed youth on a pedestal. 60 is the new forty. 80 is the new 60.

100 is the new 93 and a half I hear. Don't expect human nature to change too much. There's nothing on earth as beautiful as a 25 year old without baggage and bitterness, and an agenda of self empowerment, with a bone to pick with the opposite sex.

The key is to forgive the one you're with for getting older, if you yourself expect the same. Or try to stay young forever, like Hugh Hefner.

[bethinCary]

Cougar-women?
As a single over forty female-I don't think that's a fair analogy.
Iit's assuming all women want is a good joke or great sex from men.I don't think women are this shallow.
Maybe women are now accepting that they don't have to play an ego-driven female version of men-to be sexy or accepted.
If you look at many of todays problems-they can be attributed to ego-driven-materialistic ways(considered masculine traits)of the physical self....
Maybe it's more that women are tapping into their own spriritual/or soul-self-to show men and other females that having a compassionate side is not such a bad thing after all. Perhaps true happiness lies somewhere between the two selves(physical and soul)for both men and women.Maybe this is what's really behind the "Cougars" appeal.

It would be wise for women to realize this before the ego-driven manifestations destroy the planet-for thier kids sake and for their own.
So go girls!