Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance [Paperback]

Felicia Brings (Author), Susan Winter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

It's out there — in the press, on the internet and emblazoned on the glossiest magazine covers: romance rule breaker, the union of older women and younger men. Whether couples marry or live together, the popularity of "age gap" relationships is undoubtedly on the rise. Despite the statistics and the acceptance of such relationships among celebrities, negative stereotypes that surround these romances prevent many older women from having the happy and loving union for which they long; for these older women have not been open to finding a mate from within the large pool of younger men.

In their provocative, groundbreaking guide, Felicia Brings and Susan Winter, both of whom have had long-term relationships with younger men, shatter the myths as they share their thoughts and the experiences of over 200 couples on everything from sex to dealing with her family and his, to handling the criticisms and comments of peers. Advice is delivered with large doses of empowerment, humor and compassion that will help make the brave new world of relationship potential between older women and younger men lead to lasting love.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book handles a timely, yet touchy, subject in a tasteful manner." -- ForeWord Magazine, September 2000

About the Author

Felicia Brings is a nationally syndicated author, columnist and motivational speaker. She is a former editor of Talent In Motion magazine and wrote the column "Brings Perspective." As a career management specialist and seminar leader, she has served the corporate needs of such Fortune 500 clients as Merrill Lynch, Citibank, NYNEX, MetLife, Unisys, Morgan Trust and Time Warner. Felicia has written news articles on social issues and issues of concern to working professionals which have appeared in several major newspapers throughout the country as well as in The National Business Employment Weekly. Most recently, she has published articles and columns which deal with the transformation and empowerment of women.

Susan Winter has an expansive career as a professional communicator, which ranges from opera singer to television anchor. Most recently, Susan was the host and moderator of Higher Ground, an hour-long New Age talk show, airing throughout 1.7 million homes in the tri-state area. An experienced broadcast moderator, Susan had her own nationally televised half-hour show on the Financial News Network, Corporate Profiles, for which she was not only the moderator, but also did research analysis and scriptwriting. As a corporate spokeswoman, Susan has worked with over 200 of the Fortune 500 companies and is the recipient of numerous awards in the field of business communication. Susan also is an avid body builder and models for photographers and illustrators, most commonly recognized as the model for the popular Chaos Comics character, Lady Death. Both authors live in New York City and have had long standing, serious relationships with younger men.

Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press; First edition. edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882822004
• ISBN-13: 978-0882822006
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Felicia Brings was born in Munich, Germany and grew up in New York City. She taught writing at Monterey Peninsula College in California as well as at LIM in NYC. She lived and taught in China during a very tumultuous period - the buildup to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the coldest winter ever recorded, the worst earthquake in 30 years and the biggest uprising in Tibet in 20 years. Her memoir about her experiences there, NO HUGGING IN CHINA- And Other Cautionary Tales will be available in 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Older Women, Younger Men, November 28, 2002

By 

Cassandra Barnes "Cassandra" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance (Paperback)

Felicia Brings and Susan Winter demolish the myths surrounding non-traditional love relationships in Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance. Brings and Winter say that older women/younger men relationships are "often met with extreme criticism, censure and scorn, and are rejected by the couple's friends and family members."
They've packed their book with stories of how couples can overcome the stigma and difficulties associated with non-traditional relationships. They interviewed dozens of couples willing to share their experiences in building lasting relationships. They also describe the common pitfalls that can destroy a loving alliance, and offer experienced advice on how to avoid those pitfalls.
Brings and Winter say that older women/younger men relationships are more prevalent than the average person realizes, but that many couples tend to keep their personal lives hidden from a disapproving public.
Older women and younger men, like most other couples, are attracted to one another for a variety of reasons, including sexual desire. Younger men like the fact that most mature women know who they are and what they want--they have a strong sense of identity. Unlike older men, younger men have grown up in a culture that encourages self-awareness and emotional expression--they realize their role in a relationship is more than providing economic stability. Older women and younger men currently have the ability to forge truly intimate relationships based on trust.
Men and women today have more options available to them than ever before. Older Women, Younger Men offers support and encouragement for those selecting less-conventional options. It's also an essential reference that will help friends and family understand why more and more younger men and older women are choosing each other as their lifetime partners.

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional Read Offered by Brings and Winter, May 5, 2003

By 

Laura Brooks (Stamford, CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance (Paperback)

Older Women, Younger Men is a brilliant read. It gives newfound freedom for women AND men to live their lives the way they want, without the censorship of society, family and friends. I first read about it in Good Housekeeping and was amazed at the honesty of these women authors. Since then, they've been all over, on ABC Evening News, Daily News, USA Today and much more, quickly becoming the key spokesperson's on this subject. They're pioneers! This book gives you tons of tips to navigate through unchartered territories, from jealous friends and mother-in-laws, to older men who hate the idea that older women are taking on what they've been doing for years - which is, be with who you want to be with. Older women are staying beautiful much longer and have power and money to make new choices. Hurray for Brings and Winter for telling the story straight about NEW OPTIONS for a new generation. The book gives countless examples of relationships that worked with age differences ten to fifteen years apart. You see early on from their articulate writing that it's not about age, it's about chemistry, timing and courage. Well, writing this book took courage and it's making a difference on the planet. Praise to both women and this book. Rush out and buy it!

37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Love, Not Less!, November 9, 2000

By 

Andrew Marino (Hartsdale, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Older Women, Younger Men: New Options for Love and Romance (Paperback)

This book is brilliant!

I'm a younger man who is delighted to see older women embrace their sexuality instead of deny it, and draw strength from experience rather than regret it. Judging from a chapter called "Men Speak," I'm not alone.

Brings and Winter offer advice on a wide variety of topics from overcoming self doubts to overcoming the negative stereotypes the couple may encounter. Not only do they speak from personal experience, but they've conducted hundreds of interviews to support their conclusions.

With a title like "Older Women, Younger Men," you might think the book is sensationalized (in fact, the title's why I picked it up!), but the point of the book really is down to earth -- to help men and women broaden their pool of potential partners. Because of the warm, conversational style in which this book is written -- with its humor and anecdotal digressions -- it's easy to forget how important this book is: it is a manual designed to break down social restrictions to love. As the authors write, the world needs more love not less.

And anything that helps us do that belongs on all of our bookshelves!