They have suffered through the slings and arrows of life and survived and gained perspective.

A Cougar who is sane and secure in who she is has a lot to offer in terms of life experience and advice. But sex isn't the only reason to date a Cougar. If she if financially secure, she is not so concerned about finding a man who can take care of her. If they have children, they are likely not to be so concerned with having more. They typically don't play games and their personal boundaries are better than they were in their twenties. Older women tend to know what they want sexually, too and are less inhibited about expressing their needs to a younger man who is eager to please. If they have reached menopause, the fear of getting pregnant no longer exists and they can enjoy their sexuality without running to the pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test.

Cougars have a certain joie de vivre that men their age who have been beaten up by life have lost; so they look for a younger companion with whom to have fun.

Women over 40 tend to know who they are and what they want.