Why do women sway or "shake" their hips when they walk? It seems they're trying to attract men.

Question

Preferably, a lady should answer this question but men's comments will be noted.
I've noticed that not all women do this but when others think they are being noticed, it commences.

Answer 1

My mother accused me of doing that and reprimanded me when I was in the 7th grade--truth be told I was not even thinking about my hips--I was in church and had a fullish sort of skirt on and she said it was swaying like crazy--I was mortified. Now, 28 years later her accusation still makes me mad--my husband tells me I "shake" my hips a lot!! OK, I have a big butt, but I don't shake it on purpose. I just laugh about it now-(I'm 5'4" size 6 so its not all fat--OK some fat) I notice when ladies wear high heels we all shake it a little more due to the logistics of the heels. Now, some women probably do shake it to try to attract attention but I can't say I do that in fact I'm aware of it so I try to keep the motion at a minimum--which my husband says doesn't help at all. But we both still laugh about it--one time he saw me running and commented to the kids that I looked like a" fat kid running for cake"--they told me because they did not think it was funny. It IS funny. --that had nothing to do with the originally question, sorry.

Back to your question--I think when we notice that we are being observed, we feel more self-conscious so the walking is less natural and more tense--perhaps resulting in the commencement of the hip swaying. Now that was a speculation at best.

You notice not all women do this--well, have you noticed if has anything to do with the porportionate size of their hips? Maybe the flatter hipped women don't sway as much--it's just a theory--I'll have to check out some women's butts and see if this is even a factor. Hope this helps. Now I ask you, does the hip swaying bother you? Do you like it or particulary dislike it? Obviously it has attracted your attention but from your question it seems in a negative manner. If you knew it was something they can't really help would you forgive them?

Answer 2

I love mozzy's answer. Sorry to tell him/her that I am a senior citizen, I am not a corpse. I have always liked women and my wife understands that as long as I am looking it means I am not yet blind or cold. To address your question though; when all the dust settles I really don't care a whole lot what a woman looks like. I am far more concerned in her ability to carry on a conversation. If you weigh 400 pounds and can formulate a complete sentence with out the use of four or five "You Knows" I would be far more interested than if you were a perfect 36 with an I.Q. to match. By the way, the scientists who study such things theorize that a man is attracted to the hips and breasts you describe because they associate them with child bearing capabilities. That sort of hard wiring seems to go back to the stone age. Have a good day GIMP

Answer 3

Some women might do that one purpose, but I think it is just the way women walk relative to men and their stride. Like some women might sway more than other women, while others are more subtle. Just like the differences of the way men walk. Women have wide hips or wider hips, while men have narrow or narrower hips generally.

So I think just the anatomical makeup between the sexes have some part to do with the way men stride relative to women. Men move more with their upper body portion, whereas, women's movement is more from the hips; therefore, that is why it seems like they might be swaying them on purpose when it might just be the way they walk. And perhaps some sway more than others because some have wider hips than others.

I think, like I said, some might exaggerate it to be sexier. But I think, all women naturally have a little hip "sway" in their movement, just some are more noticeable while other's aren't relative to the things I already said. Just probably goes down to masculine-femminine mannerisms, relative to anatomy/ basic biology between the two sexes.

Answer 4

I was eight years old when one of my friends(male), told me that I was walking funny. I had not noticed it till then. I don't think it's something us women realize we are doing. Some women that I know will put a little extra wiggle in their step when they see a guy they like. But we don't shake our hips only when men notice. It is simply a part of us. A part I think we women, should enjoy to the fullest.

Answer 5

i think that women, naturally walk differently than men, but when they "sway" as you put it, they are definitely doing it to get noticed. and i would be money that they don't "sway" all the time. usually just when they're in public or are trying to get the attention of a man or men in general. i also know that depending on what shoes women wear (like when i wear heels i walk differently than when i wear flats - not like in an awkward way, but i have more "bounce") that may make them walk differently.

Answer 6

Well as for woman shaking there hips I shake my hips when I walk and I don't mean too. My husband tells me all the time that I have a sexy walk but I am not trying to have a sexy walk or attract him or any other man to notice me. I believe it is in the way God has made us. I mean think about it, our hips have to move more than a mans due to woman being made to birth children.

Answer 7

It's due to a very special joint that only women have, I am not sure what the scientific name is so let's call it a hinge, and it's actually an attraction tool that was designed on purpose for the populating of the world. I learnt about this in Biology in the 10th grade. Also not only women have it other animals have it as well, though it is more noticeable in dogs and somewhat in cats. Also when a woman is attracted to a certain man she straightens here posture, walks more slowly to accentuate her walk thus making it more seductive.

Answer 8

You've got way too much time on your hands to observe how women walk. First of all most women sway because of our hips, that's just the way we were made. There are enough people here who can explain the situation better than I can but in all respects, get a life. Life's too short to spend the time trying to figure out why women's butts sway.

Answer 9

I think it has something to do with fat distribution within the body and its connection to the center of balance.

Women tend to move from the hips (their center of balance), whereas men move with the legs. Carrying breasts around probably doesn't help stop the swaying, either. :P

Answer 10

It's due to the anatomy and physiology of a woman's body. We have bigger hips and wider hip bones and we sway to keep our balance when we walk.