A divorced woman in her mid-40s has rekindled her love life with a partner almost two decades younger, but there’s a hitch that’s been bothering her despite the joy she’s found. Dating is already a complex journey, but throws in a considerable age gap, and it often invites unwanted scrutiny.
This anonymous 46-year-old mother shared her story with Daily Mail’s relationship expert, Jana Hocking, after reentering the dating scene post-divorce. After three years of being single, she tried dating men in their 40s and 50s but felt no spark. Leaping, she explored relationships with younger men, and to her surprise, she found herself in a fulfilling relationship with a 27-year-old.
Jana encouraged the woman to ignore societal judgments, focusing on her happiness rather than letting labels like “cougar” affect her confidence
“I’m 46, divorced, and just got back into dating after a long break. Trying to connect with older men didn’t work for me, so I started seeing younger guys. Now, I’m in a healthy, thriving relationship with a man who’s 27.”
Yet, despite this positive turn, an uncomfortable moment arose at a dinner party. A close friend jokingly referred to her as a “cougar,” which quickly became a running joke with the group. Though she usually enjoyed the attention from younger suitors on dating apps, the label “cougar” left her feeling uneasy. “It feels like my attraction to younger men is being mocked or seen as predatory, and I’ve started questioning if my choices are wrong or if I’m being too sensitive.”
Jana reassured her, emphasizing that dating a 27-year-old isn’t inappropriate. “He’s been making adult decisions for years,” Jana noted, advising her to disregard others’ judgments. She stressed that if the relationship brings happiness, that’s all that should matter, regardless of labels.
