Love Island Contestant Olivia Hawkins Referring To Herself As A Cougar Is Problematic

Love Island is back on our screens for the latest winter edition, and we couldn't be more than excited for the re-emergence of our favourite sayings such as "mugged off", "it is what it is", and "my type on paper".

But amongst all the cringe-inducing early introductions, getting to know one another and making it known what they're looking for in a partner, there's one term that has alarmed us the most – cougar. While describing what she's looking for in the villa, contestant Olivia Hawkins repeatedly uses the word 'cougar' to describe herself. And can we just point out that she's at the ripe old age of... 27. Yes, you heard that right.

The term didn't go amiss with viewers at home, with one person tweeting: "This girl is the same age as me and she just called herself a cougar 😭 i'm ready for death #loveisland." Another added: "Olivia is 27 & calling herself a cougar??Dpmo #LoveIsland," while a third added: "How can you be under 30 and call yourself a cougar looool #LoveIsland."

So, why is the word cougar so offensive? Well, first of all, the term cougar was created mainly as a misogynistic and derogatory insult to shame women for going after what they want in a partner. The term is also ageist, as it suggests there is an element of shock, or somehow shame, that women of a certain age can ‘still’ bag an attractive man much younger than themselves. As well as this, it further perpetuates society's traditional treatment of older women, somehow suggesting that they don't deserve the best, should be ignored by those younger than them or aren't capable of finding a younger partner without somehow having ‘preyed’ on them. 

And don't even get us started on how it diminishes the qualities of a healthy and thriving relationship, which should centre on both individuals sharing the same values, and instead prioritises relationships based on physicality.

So, while Love Island doesn't have the most long-term success stories, and for the most part, we don't expect it to given the raunchy premise of the show, the fact that Olivia describes herself as a “cougar” suggests she, and other women over 25, must stalk their pray and trap them an unfortunate powerless victim against their will. Of course, that is usually not the case, especially in a television show such as Love Island, where singletons can freely explore their dating options.

While some may argue that the word 'cougar' is feminist and promotes desirability, sex appeal and confidence in a woman, the fact that men don't have equivalent terminology and, for the most part, are patted on the back when they date much younger women serves as a big red flag against the term. And with thriving age-gap relationships in Hollywood, where the woman is older than the man, such as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas, Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden and Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton, we need to finally acknowledge their longevity and victory without putting it down to a supposed 'ruthless' and 'cunning' woman maliciously calling all the shots.

We hope that Olivia doesn't feel the need to keep referring to herself as that while exploring a romance with Haris, who, despite being six years younger than her, is in his twenties himself. It's time to leave the shame of ageism and sexism in dating in the past because it quite simply is, dated. 

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