What qualities do women look for in prospective partners?

Question

I understand that even until quite recently, women looking for a partner would consider strength, fitness and health as important factors. This, I suppose was to increase the likelihood of having healthy childern. With advances in medicine and general social conditions, traits such as sense of humour and intelligence were becoming more important. However, I read an opinion poll in the paper the other day that the most important single factor that women looked for was how much money the man earns. Some saying that they looked for a partner who earns £50k others putting the acceptable salary as £100k. While I'm alright (yes I'm one of those deplorable, fat-cat City bankers that everyone hates), what has the world come to? Do you agree that so much emphasis should be placed on money and will marrying someone for this reason really mean that you'll be happy?

Answer 1

The thing I look for most in a man is how attentive they are. Men should listen and be interested when we talk because there's nothing more insulting than being ignored. It is nice to be surprised as well - by doing something different or doing nice thoughtful things (such as a nice little note in your underwear draw or something).

Money isn't everything. I have known men who i initially didn't fancy but then did after getting to know them - so personality does count i think. Some women feel the need for possessions more than men so look for men with money - maybe they are insecure - they will never be truly happy as possessions can't offer companionship

Answer 2

First, opinion polls in papers are rarely scientifically sound. They're usually not done randomly, but rather a question is posed and those who feel like answering it give an answer. "Self-selection" of this sort may not give a genuine picture, since it could be that all the women who answered the question shared some characteristic--which might mean that the "sample" wasn't properly representational of the population of women you're likely to meet.

That said, even if the poll is scienfitically sound, I doubt that *all* the women who responded gave money as the most important factor in choosing a potential partner. Even if 80% did, the only conclusion we can draw is that "Most of the women surveyed" gave this response.

Much would depend on the wording of the question, too.

For myself, a potential partner's salary or income is *far* down the list of things I look for. I respond to a man's sense of humour, his kindness, his awareness of and ability to express his feelings, his sensitivity to the feelings of others, his creativity, his intelligence, and his general outlook on life. I guess I'd *prefer* it if he made enough money that he didn't have to depend on me to support him (nor do I expect him to support me), but it wouldn't be a deal-breaker if all those other factors were in place.

Answer 3

Money is important but personal attributes such as sex, fidelity
social status and common interests such as hobbies prevail in
the long run. Money comes and goes and in a true couple, if
a bankruptcy or other misfortunes such as health, loss of
a loved one has to be overcome, women stand tall and will
expect that their intelligence and loving support to be reciprocal.
Unfortunately this reciprocity often does not correspond to a
woman‘s high level of common sense in the face of disaster.

Answer 4

My quality to have in a partner is understanding, trust , love and happiness eben if a man does not have a job i would be happy becaus ehe makes me happy. Is money the most important thing to make people happy nowadays? People need to look beyond the money and think what you could build together without nothing. Have you heard the comment it is better to give than receive? it is because the payment back is widly greater than you you gave.

Answer 5

I definitely don't agree.In fairness to women they do want security thats one factor they're looking for a prospective partner but not the kind of emphasis you've mention.Those kind of opinion goes to limited individuals only.Marriage build on one factor only definitely won't last.Prospective partners should be physically..,mentally..,emotionally and financially stable is i think enough for the average girl....

Answer 6

I would just like someone to love me for who I am. Some one to look after me not financially...I can do that myself, but to make me feel safe. Someone funny to make me laugh and enjoy life with. I don't think the size of the salary is that important and I certainly don't think money can make you happy, especially if youhave to work all hours to get it. There has to be a good work-life balance in every relationship.

Answer 7

i think that marrying someone for this reason won't make you happy in the long run yes at first but not when you don't love that person!
what i look for in a man is mainly their personality if they haven't got one that i get along with then they've got no chance but i suppose that in the past i've been stupid and just gone for looks after having bad experiences with that (being cheated on and then verbally and physically threatened) they that idea got chucked in the bin.
hope this answers your question alright!

Answer 8

I can not begin to imagine what opinion poll that was or what paper "was it the Financial Times? or Gold Digger's Monthly" The things women are looking for are the same things they have always looked for - honesty, kindness, good lover, potentially good father, good worker, sense of humour. Not in that order obviously.

Answer 9

No, I don't think the money side is that vital, although it does certainly help if you are not on the poverty line! However, being in a strong and compatible relationship is so much more rewarding than money. I certainly don't think it makes you any happier and it is wrong to marry for that reason alone.

Answer 10

Humans are much closer to the animal than we care to admit in this 'modern' age. 90% of communication is non-verbal, hence some of the trouble over the veil issue.
Basic instincts to reproduce still push women towards looking for a powerful, dominat male who can father many strong children. That's just nature no matter how we dress it up.
That's also why it's male instinct to scatter hsi seed over as wide a field as possible.
Centuries of 'manners' have tried to wipe this out of us but it's just pissing in the wind.