Is beauty an evolutionary indication of health and potential child rearing/bearing capacity?

Question

Discuss!

Answer 1

So "beauty" can be and has been quantified, but as you might imagine, is affected by culture, "economic" circumstances, and of course... gender. But that said, beauty generally is not an indicator of health as health varies so dramatically, while physical beauty (e.g., facial structure) may be set well before the onset of some disease. Certainly body shape is used by males to assess reproductive capacity of women, though the males are typically not conscious of such assessments. For instance, when polled, men typically prefer more curvaceous women (well into the range where females consider themselves to be "overweight") over very thin women (e.g., fashion models). Body fat, among other things, is a good indicator of health and excess nutrients available for the development of offspring.

Anyway, too long to go into all of it, obviously. So instead, I'll suggest you read Survival of the Prettiest: The Science of Beauty by Nancy Etcoff. ...very nice book that synthesizes much of the scientific research on perceptions of beauty. But before you read that, you should probably read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins. ...awesome book that provides immense insight into such things indirectly and directly, and really sets the stage for the Etcoff book.

Answer 2

It can be an indicator of health. You'll notice that in the paintings from Europe, absolutely none show women with warts or pock-marks (from smallpox). Why is that? Such disfigurements are not beautiful -- and they also indicate ill health. Bad teeth -- same thing.

Answer 3

I have some very homely friends that have beautiful children. I don't think looks are a factor in child bearing or health.

Answer 4

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know that the kind of mate I am attracted to would be considered ugly by many people.

Answer 5

Beauty , the hourglass shape , has been found beyond any doubt to be attributes of fertility from times long past. Public opinion !

Answer 6

From what I've read, what you suggest is the most likely scenario. Mothers who had their mother around to help them raise their kids, tend to have more and healthier kids, thereby enforcing in their line the tendency for women to outlive their own reproductive years in order to facilitiate the continuation of their line through their daughter's children.

Answer 7

In a sense this is true this is correct, both man and woman usually are attracted to the"pretty"ones as opposed to the homely of our spicies. as a general rule of nature,the best looking of really "any" spicies,is a product of the "best" chemicals,thus the greater chance of producing the "best" offspring!

Answer 8

beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... apparently having a symmetrical face is the sign of a good potential mate ...

Answer 9

Somehow I doubt it. I know I am no supermodel, however I am in excellent health and I know for sure that I am a damn good mom. I would do anything for my son, and I would do most anything to make sure myself and my family is healthy.

Answer 10

beauty simply gives you more choice in partners and enables you to pick the best one to have
+kids with
so they can be fit and healthy
thats how it works fo us animals