what is the biological reason for guys going for physical attractiveness...?

Question

...when choosing a mate? and why this isn't a priority for women?
only scientific answers please!
thanks

Answer 1

I would argue that the reasons are cultural and not biological in the modern age. While men may find women of certain types more attractive it is an erroneous assumption that they are following a biological need. In fact, if the biological need to procreate were the only force affecting the choosing of a mate they would seek traits that make procreation easier (i.e. women with big hips because it makes giving birth easier, or women with proper nutritional diets...which might rule out modern-day conceptions of attraction). Instead, culture clouds the issue by education people to view really thin women with specific facial and body types as desirable...even if those traits have nothing to do with biological need for reproduction.

Answer 2

nobody really knows why, but everybody knows it IS. And I disagree with what you said about it not being a priority for women. They may be a tiny bit less concerned about it than males, but only a tiny bit.

As for scientific explanations, that would require examination and regurgitation of a distillation of half a zillion theories and studies regarding evolutionary directives and secondary sexual dimorphism and on and on and several etc., etc., etc's

Good luck to whomever tries.

Me, I think men are attracted to attractive females, and females are attracted to attractive males (yeah, I noticed that the adjectives answered the verbs) because there is a natural tendency to seek out mates that will produce strong, healthy offspring. And let's face it - what strong, healthy, attractive person wants to share his or her seed with a scrawny, pasty, pimply and/or fat, ugly person, and wonder what will come of the assignation?

Yeah. Maybe it's cruel. But it's the way it is. Always will be. The folks that don't like it can take it up with God, I guess.

Answer 3

Likely becuase of longstanding human social patterns and courtship rituals. Think of how birds evolved the opposite way. The female bird chooses a mate from among the many males that court her so the males evolve colorful feathers like the male peacock, for example. Levi-Strauss described human kinship structures as created through the exchange of women among men. Women were gifts a father gave to a man of another clan to create a bond, alliance, economic relationship, etc., he said. In that theory, one could say gifts without wrapping paper must be pretty by themselves.

On the other hand, there is the fact that modern courtship isn't about gift exchange. Both men and women choose based on physical attractiveness but now that men are expected to be companions and fathers, women are also keen on men with character traits that make them suitable for these tasks. I might also throw in the Marxist interpretation that women seek men who can provide for them economically (after centuries of poor people making such decision while the wealthy still practiced gift exchange). From the other perspective, men who look to settle down with someone would seek similar traits from the women.

Answer 4

Freudian Objectification.

Sex with hundreds or thousands of men, several men every day, and men at random, via working in prostitution.

Women practice dismissal, fear, and preoccupation. Men need an opening line, small talk, and to close with getting a telephone number or a date. The number one dating advice for women is "play hard to get".

Obese blobs, (that are 50% of the population), have immature hysteria that causes delirium in good looking women. The environments in this society are .1% good looking women.

There are 21 organizations spying on the population with plain clothes agents. No one has ever seen the start of a relationship.

Answer 5

Alright, you've got a lot of great answers. Now, remember that this doesn't make women better, or less shallow. What is more sought after (and usually taken) than a sweet, mentally healthy attractive woman? On the flipside, what is more sought after (by young women at least) than a bad boy, regardless of his looks?

Answer 6

I have little to add, except to discuss a scientific study using babies. Both sexes seemed to respond better to people who were attractive, in the sense that they had even features, large eyes, well-shaped heads and well-defined facial features. This isn't on point with the reproductive nature of your question, but it does speak to a biological preference for beauty in its purest form.

Answer 7

It's all about health & ability to procreate.

If a woman is shabby looking, chances are she isn't quite as healthy (mentally, physically, etc.) as someone who is in good shape, looks after themselves and generally able bodied.
Therefore, the children may also be less fit (physically, mentally, etc.) which is a 'no no' in procreation terms.

This is hardwired and usually subconscious to ourselves - it's just our brain translates 'she will be a good, healthy mother for our children' into 'damn, she's sexy'

Of course, times change... and now with plastic surgery etc. it's easy to trick the eye.

Answer 8

Has to do with genetics and the only way humans are able to tell are physically. through qualities such as condition of hair, skin and teeth (pretty much grooming standards like apes).

Women go for economic status and security. For example, the ape who is able to provide the most food, adequate protection is considered ideal and the same goes for humans.

Answer 9

I read a study that indicated that (subconciously) men go for women that are primed to breed. We are all animals...after all. I also read that women look for men that exhibit signs of more testosterone (more facial hair, big chest, etc)....for the same reason....they make the babies better. lol.

Answer 10

I don't know about you, but my husband is pretty damn sexy. He has many other wonderful qualities, but he looks good too. I would suggest that your opinion isn't necessarily true for every women. I find it odd you want scientific answers, when you yourself have not provided any scientific evidence yourself...but here you go:

http://www.livescience.com/health/070412_fertile_women.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/09/AR2006050901343.html
http://ladderwiki.com/wiki/Biological_Differentiation,_Determinism,_and_IWism