Zoology
with Kim Jackson


One fateful Saturday afternoon, my son and I went to the
doctor's office and took a seat. As it was Saturday, the
office was fairly empty; so I took out the laptop to get
some things done and my son plugged into his MP3 player.
When the doctor came to call my son, he asked something that
made me and my son laugh out loud.

"Did your girlfriend want to come in as well?"

Now, granted, I have been told that I don't look like I have
a legally adult son (yes, he's still my baby…don't worry,
son…no nicknames to the world). But, after the doctor
explained that I didn't look my age (thank you) and that my
son carried himself older (whatever); he said that we could
pass for a couple. Now, you know me…it got me thinking.
Hmmm…

Society has begun to readily accept the presence of
'Cougars'. Cougars are older women who date, and oftentimes
marry, younger men. The age difference between the two can
be ten years or above. It seems now, that what's good for
the Jaguar (hey, I had to do it), is also good for the
Cougar. But, what I have often wondered is…could this really
be a viable match? It used to be that when a man was going
through a mid-life crisis; he traded in his car for
something fast and sporty, started changing his appearance,
and either traded in his wife for someone younger or began
dating younger women. Of course, in the beginning, it was
frowned upon.

"He's lost his effing mind."

"That girl is gonna take all his pension."

Somewhere along the way; the outrage subsided and the Cougar
emerged from the jungle. Now, of course, I had to pick some
male brains about the advantages and disadvantages of dating
a Cougar. And frankly, I can completely agree with the
answers that I've gotten.

* Younger men that have goals and have a life plan in
place, find it easier to date older women because their
level of maturity is more than that of their same aged
counterparts.
* Some men like the self assuredness of older women that
women in their age group have not reached.
* Then there's the drama factor, which I can't imagine
anybody liking; but, it would seem that the Cougar
(oftentimes) have the 'Take it or leave it' attitude.



The only disadvantage that was given is if he knew the
woman's children; if she had any. Unless, of course, that's
how he met her.

Now, ladies, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying run out and
get you a twenty year old and you're in your thirties. Just
like it takes a certain kind of younger man to deal with an
older women…it does go both ways. Can you imagine me
bringing home a man that spends more time listening to music
and playing video games with my son? I shudder to think….
(physically shuddering…ugh). But, there are some men out
there that can communicate on your level without dragging
the immaturity of a 'number' into the conversation and
situation. And we also know that there are some men out
there that has age on their side…and that's all that they
have because a gnat has more maturity than they do. And
those things only live four months.

Ultimately, a person (Jaguar or Cougar) must choose their
young prey the same way the rest of the world does. If two
people connect on a level beyond the number of years they
have been living then who are we to disagree?

Now, you may ask yourself…KJ, what about you? Would you date
a younger man? Now, if I say that would be none of your
business; then that could be perceived as affirmation that I
would or have. How about I just say this? Daddies watch your
daughters and mommas watch your sons…it's a jungle out
there.