Move Over Cougar—Here Comes the White Tigress

The White Tigress made her debut on the Rachael Ray Show on February 25, 2010. Just what is a White Tigress? She’s my answer to the awful nickname “Cougar.” And here’s how the nickname came about…

Recently, I had a very humorous email exchange with my daughters and a group of other women friends, ranging in age from 26 to 61. It started with a provocative email from one of them who had just seen a photo gallery on Newsweek.com. She said, “Cougars are the new 20-somethings, bringing new meaning to the phrase ‘Life beginning at 60.’” She followed with, “And I can't wait to grow up.”

Though I know that the term Cougar did not have a negative connotation for her, I don’t see it that way. I see it as a put down, just like that other horrible phrase “women of a certain age.” So does a 60-something friend who refuses to let anyone call her that. Both of us agreed that the problem with the term Cougar is that it implies a woman who is lurking in the bushes, waiting to pounce on a younger man.

To me, there seems to be a double standard! When a man dates a woman 20 years younger than he, they call him a “Silver Fox.” And that’s hardly pejorative—it’s distinctive.

I was happy to learn that my oldest daughter, in her twenties, thought of women in their middle years as wise, sexy, often financially independent, and with other very positive attributes. Although she was somewhat annoyed by the predatory slant in some of the Newsweek.com photos—like the one of Ann Bancroft seducing an innocent Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate—there were photos of women she felt were worth celebrating. Susan Sarandon is one.

We all agreed that we needed another name besides Cougar and toyed around, trying to find something with feline energy in it. Our first try was Silver Feline, which is comparable to the male Silver Fox. But then I discovered that we were about to enter the Year of the Tiger on Valentine’s Day. The tiger is all about the wisdom of the heart. I remembered a book I have called The Sexual Secrets of the White Tigress, which is all about ancient Chinese energy practices for maintaining youthfulness. So we chose White Tigress!!!

The term White Tigress aptly describes how many of us over 50 are feeling about ourselves these days. A friend emailed that she feels as red hot at 61 as she did at 41—as long as she’s with the right man.

We White Tigresses are flourishing as sensual, sexy women who have no need to prowl or stalk younger men. Because, by simply relaxing and enjoying our lives, we are attracting and alluring all the men and attention we desire.

I wanted to share this name with you, because I’m on a mission to replace Cougar with White Tigress. I hope you’ll join me! 

So, Cougars beware. The White Tigress is now claiming her territory while reclining, licking her paws, and letting her desires come to her naturally. Purrrrrrrrrr.

This information is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise, or other health program.

For up-to-the-minute as well as timeless medical advice in Dr. Northrup's extensive library of articles and podcasts, visit DrNorthrup.com.