Perhaps she is going through a lonely phase in her life. Kittens are often seen as cute and comforting. Reading stories about them can provide a sense of warmth and companionship, even if it's just through the stories. It can be a form of escapism into a world of furry little friends.
It could be for her grandchildren or other young family members. She wants to find interesting kitten stories to share with them, to teach them about kindness to animals and also just to have some fun and engaging stories to tell during family time.
There's a children's book series that sometimes features older women characters and their encounters with kittens. 'The Cat in the Hat' books by Dr. Seuss. In some of the stories, the kids' neighbor could be seen as an older woman figure and there are cats (kittens can be imagined in that context) that create all sorts of fun and chaos. It's a bit of a stretch but it does involve an older - like character and cats.
In fictional stories, it could be a power dynamic thing. The older woman might feel a sense of control and dominance which gives her a thrill. It could also be a form of expressing an unconventional form of affection in the made - up world of the story.
One reason could be the sense of stability. Mature women are often more settled in life compared to younger ones. They might have a stable career and financial situation, which can be very attractive.
One reason could be low blood pressure. If a mature woman stands up too quickly, her blood pressure might drop suddenly, leading to dizziness and fainting. Another reason is dehydration. If she doesn't drink enough water, especially in hot weather or after physical activity, it can cause her to faint.
One reason could be punishment for misbehavior. If the young guy has done something wrong in the story, like being disrespectful or disobeying rules set by the older woman, she might spank him as a form of discipline.
Well, in fictional stories, it might be part of a plot device to show the power dynamic between the two characters. The older woman may be in a position of authority over the young girl, like a governess or an aunt in a period drama. But it's important to note that this is a fictional trope that we should view critically. Also, it could be written as a way to create conflict or drama, but real - life standards of proper treatment of children should always be considered even in fictional portrayals.
One reason could be loyalty. Just like in the case of the older woman who lost her fiancé. She remained chaste out of loyalty to his memory. Another reason might be religious beliefs. For example, in some religious doctrines, chastity is highly regarded. So an older woman might uphold it to follow her faith.
One possible reason could be for a disguise. Maybe she is on a secret mission or trying to blend in at a school for some investigative purpose. For example, she could be a journalist looking into a story about school bullying and dressing as a schoolgirl helps her get closer to the students.
One risk is the spread of misinformation. She may not have accurate knowledge. Another risk is that it can make the listener uncomfortable or embarrassed.
It could be part of a cultural or family tradition within the story. Maybe she grew up in a family where spanking was seen as a way to correct wrongdoings, and even as an older woman, when she made a mistake that violated an important family or community rule, she felt obligated to ask for this form of punishment to uphold the values she was raised with.