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yster · 01-02-2005, 09:49 AM

I think mfh may be right about the media, but I think a lot of people overestimate the intent behind these kinds of reactions. Even if you ask someone 'Why do you date <insert whatever>?', they probably can't answer that unless they are extremely and overtly racist. Attraction is not something that can be easily quantified, even if we *think* we know our reasons, we may only be observing our past behavior and making guesses. If attraction is considered somewhat out of our hands, certainly the media and past experiences would have shaped and continue to affect it.
Why are some white men attracted to asian women?
Height aside, there are certain build differences that can't be ignored.
Since 'white' is a constantly evolving term that swallows up more ethnicities every year, it is hard to pin down traits like eye color or skin pigment; the Irish, Jewish and Italians were not considered white when they first came to America en masse. Overall, however, it is hard to deny there is a difference in build (not height necessarily), but the bulk of the torso at least, between these two 'races'. Due to the incredible rate of obesity in the USA, any genetic disposition towards a slender build is a huge advantage, especially for women. These 'ideal' traits would be noticed subconsciously even if a person doesn't recognize them overtly.
For men, negative stereotypes may play some role in overt and unconcious racism, but probably more powerful an effect is just brought by all the Hollywood stars being white. Since Hollywood doesn't need to rely on making everyone pretty, just the few stars, they can afford to pull the most attractive members despite any overall racial trends, but when the images are assimilated by the viewers, skin color is not going to be the only thing people unconsciously absorb. Body type, hair style, mannerisms, clothes, and of course wealth can be a factor. None of those factors will trump a balanced person's views, however. Some people might only date a certain race, or people with a certain amount of money, but they are by far the minority. People have much less control over attraction than they think, especially over their own.
I think Dr. Rico's post above is right about it coming down more to aesthetics and (absorbed) culture, from all the sources around them.

01-02-2005, 09:49 AM	#107 (permalink)
yster Tilted	I think mfh may be right about the media, but I think a lot of people overestimate the intent behind these kinds of reactions. Even if you ask someone 'Why do you date <insert whatever>?', they probably can't answer that unless they are extremely and overtly racist. Attraction is not something that can be easily quantified, even if we think we know our reasons, we may only be observing our past behavior and making guesses. If attraction is considered somewhat out of our hands, certainly the media and past experiences would have shaped and continue to affect it. Why are some white men attracted to asian women? Height aside, there are certain build differences that can't be ignored. Since 'white' is a constantly evolving term that swallows up more ethnicities every year, it is hard to pin down traits like eye color or skin pigment; the Irish, Jewish and Italians were not considered white when they first came to America en masse. Overall, however, it is hard to deny there is a difference in build (not height necessarily), but the bulk of the torso at least, between these two 'races'. Due to the incredible rate of obesity in the USA, any genetic disposition towards a slender build is a huge advantage, especially for women. These 'ideal' traits would be noticed subconsciously even if a person doesn't recognize them overtly. For men, negative stereotypes may play some role in overt and unconcious racism, but probably more powerful an effect is just brought by all the Hollywood stars being white. Since Hollywood doesn't need to rely on making everyone pretty, just the few stars, they can afford to pull the most attractive members despite any overall racial trends, but when the images are assimilated by the viewers, skin color is not going to be the only thing people unconsciously absorb. Body type, hair style, mannerisms, clothes, and of course wealth can be a factor. None of those factors will trump a balanced person's views, however. Some people might only date a certain race, or people with a certain amount of money, but they are by far the minority. People have much less control over attraction than they think, especially over their own. I think Dr. Rico's post above is right about it coming down more to aesthetics and (absorbed) culture, from all the sources around them.