Now what I'm about to write is clearly not directed toward kids under the age of eighteen. I say this because by law and society at the age of eighteen you are consider a legal adult. These are just my opinions and views, so please don't take offensive. I truly believe that people under the age of eighteen do not fully understand relationships and love. People whether male or female under the age of eighteen should not be dating anyone over the age of eighteen. I mean I don't condone a twelve year old boy or girl dating anyone over the age of fourteen. I also don't think that a boy or girl, sixteen should be dating someone twenty-one or older. I'm directing this to people that are actual adult age.

     Explain why it is more acceptable for older men to date much younger women, but it is not acceptable for older women to date younger men. However, it seems that if your a famous person (female) then it is more acceptable than if you are not. If you look back in time, older men have always been dating and even marrying much younger women. Hell, parents would allow their thirteen year old daughters to marry men in their 30's and 40's. These men were and are veered as respected, classy and gentlemen. Yet, when a woman dates, marries or even just spends time with a younger man, they are called "pathetic", "desperate", "cradle robbers" or "cougars". Sometimes they are called even worse things. No matter what they are looked down upon.

     First off, let me clear something up. The whole concept of using the word "cougar" to describe this time of thing is completely stupid. If these people that use that word actually looked it up in the dictionary they would find that it says nothing about older women and younger men.

     In this day and age, love is hard enough to find and keep without having labels put on you or it. You don't need to deal with people looking down on you or judging you and your life on who you love, whether they be younger or of different race. It's truly nobody's business. People can't control who they fall in love with no matter how old they are, how hard they try, their gender or race.

     With everything else going on in this world and people's lives to worry about and deal with, I don't think age should be one of them. Now I can't stress this enough, I am talking about consenting, legal adults. For example: If a woman 38 years old meets a man 15 years younger and they fall in love, should they not pursue it because of the age difference and what society might say or think?

     I was always raised that age is just a number and does not define who we are. If two people that are considered legal adults and both consenting then it shouldn't matter how old they are. If they find someone that makes them happy, treats them right and truly loves them, should they turn their backs on it due to age?

     After all these years and everything women have overcome to be considered equal, we are still not. We are still not allowed to do certain things without ridicule and shame. Just something to think about people. We as woman need to be strong, fight for what we want and deserve and stick together. We as women should have the right to pursue a man no matter what are age or theirs, as long as legal and consenting without fear of being shunned or verbally attacked.. To all women that are, have been or might be ever be in this type of relationship/situation, I say be strong and don't let others tell you, you shouldn't or can't love the person you love no matter what. Love is too precious and once you find the real thing you need to fight for it, stand up for it and treasure it. Best of luck!