Physical features of women that are labeled by men as attractive features may not be as obvious as one may think. There are other factors behind why men choose attractive women over non-attractive women other than the physical features. Physical features of women that signify attractiveness are still very important. "For females, attractive features include youth as well as large eyes, a small nose, delicate jaw, small chin, full lips(which signify fertility), firm, symmetrical breasts, smooth, unblemished skin, and a waist hip ratio of 70 percent. (Cowley, 1996, p. 63) According to Cowley these features can sum up most of the obvious features men find as attractive features when referring to women but these are not the only ways mean see women as attractive. “Surprisingly symmetry turns out to be a major factor in determining the physical attractiveness of human faces and bodies- a balance of each side with the other in equal proportion. (Goode 2011 pp. 308) All of these features and factors together make up what men see as positive features in women when referring to attractiveness, now we must look at the non physical reasons men find women attractive.
"We seek partners who offer the maximum potential to reproduce our own genes in our children, each of these traits listed previously are maximally related to fertility, argue the evolutionary psychologists.” (Goode 2011 pp. 309) According to Goode the question of why we make these judgments is simply they are genetic, our bodies are telling us to think and see people this way. Also according to Goode, we seek women who are healthy and are genetically sound because the main idea behind being attracted to a woman is still our main instinct, which is to reproduce. The point being whom we are attracted to directly relates to the possibility of passing our genes along hence we choose the best partner to do that with. The question then arises of whether every culture has the same approach and reasons of finding someone to be attractive. "In fact from society to society, from culture to culture, many of the same standards prevail. Most of the traits or characteristics that are found attractive in one place are likewise found attractive in others. It is very likely some universal casual force or dynamic influences or determines what humans (and other creatures) find attractive and desirable in a mating partner." (Goode 2011 pp. 318) In conclusion, it does depend on the physical characteristics in the beginning but the idea of reproducing does come in to play later on and will play a major role in attraction. Works cited: Cowley, Geoffrey. 1996. "The biology of Beauty." Newsweek, June 3, pp.61-66. Goode, E. (2011). Deviant behavior-9th edition. New Jersey: Prentice Hall. |