07-10-2007, 01:54 AM | #1 (permalink) | |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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Women like muscly men....apparently
I stumbled accross this else where, and, well, I though the article was worthy of discussion.
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news...833467911.html Quote:
For starters, the sample range is of 141 women who in college. How is that supposed to reflect what a majority of women feel. And 99 male undergraduates, no doubt all of similar age and socio economic backgrounds. I think many of you here will agree, sexual attraction is very much down to individual and personal taste. What I really don't like is how insinuates that a big muscly man is going to be less suitable as a long term partner than a regular man. Or that a guy with a regular body wont be as sexually active as a muscle guy. Not only that, I feel it paints all women, based on a small sample, to be superficial. So what are your thoughts on this article?
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You are not a slave Last edited by MrFriendly; 07-10-2007 at 06:54 PM.. |
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07-10-2007, 03:52 AM | #2 (permalink) |
Unencapsulated
Location: Kittyville
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In a broad, stereotypical sense... I think there's some truth to that. Especially in a place like NYC. Women get pretty practical about potential partners the older they get. They're just as superficial as men - we, too, like a nice chest - but just like men look at a woman all dolled up in tight clothes and a bit of extra make up and think "score!"... women look at a muscley guy in a tight shirt and think "score!" too.
We have stereotypical expectations of these looks - they are probably programmed in from a young age, really. Think about it... in Hollywood, who's the dependable type, the nice guy (or gal)? The boy next door look, the loveable schlub. Who's having all the irresponsible (and hot) sex? The muscley one. When we're looking for a partner and not just some sex, we look at a broader picture, just like men. I'm not a physically perfect specimen, but Q wants me anyway - he wanted a partner, not a toy. But if he were out at a club (ok, stop laughing, it could happen!), what kind of girl do you think would get all the attention? It's all in how we advertise ourselves. And a man who's bothered to get muscley is advertising.
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My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'. |
07-10-2007, 08:11 AM | #3 (permalink) |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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I disagree with the study completely. I'm probably within the age group that they worked with (low 20's) and I've actually never gone out with a muscly or toned guy. Not because I couldn't I've had a few offers but because I haven't been attracted to them as an individual. My partners have always tended to be skinny or slightly pudgy (just a few love handles).
I'd rather go out with someone I can have a decent conversation about my latest computer game frenzy or the book I am reading, a guy that's willing to come and watch my dance shows and even if he doesn't want to be there pretend he does to support me then someone who is just eye candy. Hmmm kinda shows in who I picked as sexy in the 'sexy people' thread to lol, smart, slightly awkward Dr type. But moving aside from what is after all just my personal preference / history the study wasn't done in an overly accurate way. First of all the selection of subjects was WAY too small and all come from the same area geographically (and probably socio-economically). This also applies to the male applicants. Also ALL of these people selected have the same level of education - I would like to see how a similar studywould have gone if they had selected people working minimum wage jobs. The entire thing about muscular men being more aggressive is completely ridiculous as well. Some muscular men are extremely concious about their strength and go to great lengths to ensure they don't hurt anyone where as a coke addict is more likely to be skeletally slender and suffer from extreme mood swings. But yeah as you can see I don't find it very scientifically accurate.
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"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own" "Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part." |
07-10-2007, 08:54 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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Sorry but I don't buy it.
You fail to draw the destinction between personalit and body type. YOU are failing to see what the study is pointing out. Imagine you have the choice in body type between two guys. Their personalities are the exact same, and both will appreciate you equally. Now you get to choose between them both, would you choose the Steve Buscemi looking guy or Brad Pitt's bod in Troy. Are you honestly going to lie and say you don't prefer Pitt? That is all this is pointing out, you prefer the toned body type.
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"Smite the rocks with the rod of knowledge, and fountains of unstinted wealth will gush forth." - Ashbel Smith as he laid the first cornerstone of the University of Texas |
07-10-2007, 09:12 AM | #5 (permalink) |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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Actually I don't find Brad Pitt at all attractive. Maybe I'm a little odd that way but it's just working on plain physical responses, like I said that was about me and my history and personal preferences not overly about the study. I guess I tend to stereotype toned / muscly guys as less then interested in the same things I am, not overly fair to them really.
I did point out that that section of the post was directed towards my own personal preferences, the majority of women would probably disagree with me and they have every right to. As for your comment about lying, I really don't see the point in lying to a group of what are thus far faceless people on a forum site. I kinda resent the implication that if someone disagrees with what YOU find attractive they must be lying though. Your post does not address the fact they they selected a very small and controlled group of both men and women for this study however. If they had selected say 500 from different age, cultural, religious, social and educational backgrounds and the same results had come back then I would be far more open to the results. Fact of the matter is each society has a different opinion on what is physically attractive - look at paintings and sculptures from different periods in history, you very rarely see the nymph like women that are held up as beautiful in todays media in a Romantic era painting and statuesque women used to be the ideal. Even today different places in the world find different features attractive, many men from western cultures find Asian women attractive yet one Asian country has a 45% plastic surgery rate for women wanting to look more western. The thing I object to in this study isn't that it doesn't agree with me and my personal preferences but that they are saying it's scientific when they have not taken into account the influence of the society these people are living in and how this effects what they consider physically attractive.
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"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own" "Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part." |
07-10-2007, 09:40 AM | #7 (permalink) |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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Crompsin I've got to be honest I have no idea whether you're talking about my points or the OP when you're calling BS
Either way (comfort Crompsin) I'm a softy, can't stand anyone crying
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"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken... and the one that could brighten up your day even if she couldnt brighten her own" "Her emotions were clear waters. You could see the scarring and pockmarks at the bottom of the pool, but it was just a part of her landscape – the consequences of others’ actions in which she claimed no part." |
07-10-2007, 09:44 AM | #8 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
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In another breaking story: men like breasts! More news at 11.
This makes perfect sense. Men in good shape communicate a myriad of facts about the men: perseverant, able to perform, tenacious, able to defend, etc. Not only that, but our society does tend to put the healthy muscular man shape as the physical goal. Bruce Lee and Brad Pitt probably saw more action than John Goodman and John Candy. I'd call this a 'duh' situation. It's not the only trait many women look for, but it's gotta be on a lot of lists. |
07-10-2007, 09:52 AM | #9 (permalink) |
I Confess a Shiver
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OH, MAN... BOOBS ARE GREAT!
Uh... where was I? OH! Sure, it be a total DUH situation... but its not the have-all-do-all-screw-all that society might assume. I've seen plenty of hotties with plenty of fatties. Statistical necessity... god, how many Americans are fat / chunky / obese? |
07-10-2007, 10:54 AM | #12 (permalink) |
Submit to me, you know you want to
Location: Lilburn, Ga
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Sorry but you couldnt pay me to take brad pitt ala "troy"
Nope, dont go for muscles at all. That look does nothing at all for me. In the example given above, I'd pick Steve B every time over some brad pitty person
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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!! |
07-10-2007, 10:57 AM | #13 (permalink) |
... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.
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And that's awesome. I think articles like this one should come with the disclaimer "warning, this is a generalization derived from one study". Not all men like boobs, either.
I do think this is important IF it can spark further study into the psychology of sexuality in women. Psychology = cool. |
07-10-2007, 01:08 PM | #14 (permalink) |
Crazy
Location: Canada
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Well, it depends on what questions the scientists asked the women who were tested. Also, the article did not say what demographic is excluded or included in a very clear way.
If it is about just first impression, then it is accurate for my female friends (approx 18-28 years old, different races and religions). Some like to look at good-looking men who pass by and make comments, but it does not mean they want sex with them. I think the women in the study were thinking like this instead of looking at pictures to determine possible sex/long relationship partners. Humans do not really isolate factors so clearcut like science wants. |
07-10-2007, 04:53 PM | #17 (permalink) | ||
Mulletproof
Location: Some nucking fut house.
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Quote:
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Don't always trust the opinions of experts. Last edited by Psycho Dad; 07-10-2007 at 04:54 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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07-10-2007, 07:01 PM | #20 (permalink) |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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I wouldn't deny that in general, a lot of women would find slightly more muscly men more physically attractive. I mean there is a certain amount of what we find attractive that's biologically hardwired. BUT, I think in light of the times we live in, it does have to be the case, and to a point isn't the case.
It's a pretty fair assumption to say "In general, women are attracted to men", but it's certainly not a rule. But it's too simplistic to draw anything meaningful from, and human relations are anything but simplicity, that's my major beef with this article. It just seems absurd to me.
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07-10-2007, 07:56 PM | #22 (permalink) |
Insane
Location: Oh Canada!!
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I don't necessarily agree with it. Some people are attracted to the muscley type, some are not. The thing that amuses me is that when all the sudden a study says women like "hot" (I'm saying that in a stereotyped way) men, it's shocking. The reverse happens all the time!! Anyways, I think we're all attracted to different things, often inexplicabley (I don't know why I like some of the feature I do on a guy, I just do! And bodybuilder big is not on that list of things that I find attractive btw).
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I like things. And stuff. But I prefer to have things over stuff.
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07-10-2007, 08:09 PM | #24 (permalink) |
Upright
Location: New York
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07-10-2007, 09:18 PM | #25 (permalink) |
Kick Ass Kunoichi
Location: Oregon
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The only muscly men I find attractive are Daniel Craig and Jason Statham.
In real life, I go for skinny stick guys. Always have. Always will. Also, given the sample size...I call BS on this study. Way too small to make generalizations.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
07-10-2007, 09:39 PM | #26 (permalink) | |
Insensative Fuck.
Location: Boon towns of Ohio
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You can't say you disagree with a study that is about a 'majority' and say because YOU don't feel that way.
The study is dead nuts on. The majority of women are going to go for a physically fit guy when given the choice between 2 people they don't know AT ALL. It doesn't mean 100% of women will. The women who choose otherwise are oddities who don't find that particular niche attractive. But the mass majority will choose physical fitness. I don't know anyone who would choose otherwise, it would be just silly.
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07-10-2007, 10:00 PM | #27 (permalink) | |
Psycho
Location: Australia
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Quote:
In my personal experience with all the women i know, I can quite honestly tell you each and everyone has a completely different tastes in what they find both physically or emotionally attractive. Hell, I'm good friends with a girl who will loose her shit and go three kinds of moist if she sees a skinny androgynous looking guy.
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You are not a slave |
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07-10-2007, 11:06 PM | #28 (permalink) | |
Insensative Fuck.
Location: Boon towns of Ohio
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still the minority
nobody wants to be with someone ugly, chances are if a physically well off dude was set beside a wimpy lil dude, or a fatass, or a chub, or whatever you want. Those friends of yours on the majority will pick the fit guy. It's been built into us for thousands of years now, mate with the strongest, to create the strongest, and a very, very, low percentage of people who are capable of snagging a toned, fit dude, will pass that up.
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07-11-2007, 03:14 AM | #29 (permalink) |
Submit to me, you know you want to
Location: Lilburn, Ga
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Why is it "silly"? Hell I wont even visit the full monty threads cause I CANNOT stand looking at guys like that...at all....ever. I prefer a "meaty" "chubby" "non thin man". I couldnt have sex with a person like that because its actually a turn off to me
That is my preference, and I resent being told its "silly"
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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!! |
07-11-2007, 04:06 AM | #30 (permalink) |
Location: Iceland
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Muscles annoy me. They get my attention only because they look freaky, and then my eyes bounce away again. Every guy I've dated and/or liked has been the non-muscular type, so there's my data point for you.
Sometimes I hate the majority. They ruin it for the rest of us.
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And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
07-11-2007, 05:03 AM | #31 (permalink) |
Illusionary
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Personally, when I am in good shape, I tend to be more confident in myself and the increased self respect is quite obvious in the way I carry myself. I have found that women in general, find confidence a major factor in how attractive a man is to them. It may very well be that such attitudes in the men with toned muscles had an affect on the women in this study, just as it does in everyday life. When the initial attraction is coupled with a personality match sex is often the result, but without the attraction in the first place there is a smaller chance of finding the personality.
Any woman honest with herself will recognize that she too, is more attracted to a man that carries himself with a confident air, and any man honest with himself will admit he feels better when he looks in a mirror and smiles. |
07-11-2007, 05:25 AM | #32 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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Quote:
But yes, of course confidence is a great thing. It just doesn't have to correlate with outward appearances, in my book.
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And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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07-11-2007, 05:40 AM | #33 (permalink) | |
Unencapsulated
Location: Kittyville
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Q has been gymming it up for a long time now, and has built a lot of muscle mass he never had before. Did I find him attractive and enjoy him before? Obviously. Am I enjoying the new musculature? Lots! (I have a lot of fun objectifying him regularly, but that's just me being a little silly about the hotness.) It's funny... I notice sexy eyes just as much as I do sexy shoulders.. and I find it really odd that everyone else has such specific preferences about body types. I never did. I like *people*. But I can't help it... if I were trolling the bars for meaningless sex, I'd be more likely to target the muscley ones. In my mind, they're just more likely to go for a booty call than a guy who isn't. And if I were looking for a booty call, I wouldn't want to choose someone who I might hurt - the muscley ones are more superficial and less emotional, didn't you know? /at self Is that logical? Absolutely NOT. It's just instinct based on stereotypes.
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My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'. |
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07-11-2007, 05:46 AM | #34 (permalink) | |
Illusionary
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I would agree it does not "Have" to, but it seems it often does. Likely the study would not detail individual preferences, but a more general law of attraction anyway, making it somewhat useless for many. |
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07-11-2007, 05:57 AM | #35 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Ontario, Canada
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I'm not sure what they defined as "muscled" - I doubt they are speaking of big bodybuilders but rather simply men who are relatively athletic and toned.
It's almost certainly true that, on average, women do prefer such men. Chris Farley and John Goodman would be pin ups, rather than Brad Pitt, Jason Statham and the like. Yes, individually, some people may not be attracted to fit guys, but there is no doubt whatsoever that more women will find a fit man physically attractive than an unfit man, at least initially (i.e. first date scenario). Over time, other factors may become more important - money, personality, intelligence, etc.
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Si vis pacem parabellum. |
07-11-2007, 06:10 AM | #36 (permalink) | |
Location: Iceland
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Quote:
But I'd say that for those women who are not trolling the bars, etc... muscles are going to matter a hell of a lot less, because those "other" things that are crucial for long-term relationships are going to figure much more highly (intelligence, personality, humor, responsibility, maturity). That's what makes it so hard to generalize... different people want different things, regardless of gender. Now Jess, I agree with you, if our previously less-muscular men are getting into the gym, I'm not one to get in the way (as long as the goal is to get in shape, not obsess over one's looks). But it wasn't an initial attractor for me, that's all.
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And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran |
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07-11-2007, 06:24 AM | #37 (permalink) |
has all her shots.
Location: Florida
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Not me.
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Most people go through life dreading they'll have a traumatic experience. Freaks were born with their trauma. They've already passed their test in life. They're aristocrats. - Diane Arbus PESSIMISM, n. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile. - Ambrose Bierce |
07-11-2007, 06:37 AM | #38 (permalink) | |
Unencapsulated
Location: Kittyville
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Quote:
Now, clearly, we have ladies of more discriminating taste on TFP. I'm just talking generally, and stereotypically.
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My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'. |
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07-11-2007, 07:18 AM | #39 (permalink) | |
Kick Ass Kunoichi
Location: Oregon
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau |
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07-11-2007, 07:28 AM | #40 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: LI,NY
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I can't see how this study can be accurate at all. They had a very specific type of person they used as the participants. Had they worded the results differently, maybe saying that most women in such and such an age group, etc. found muscly men more attractive... then maybe they have a point. I say maybe, because I don't ever remember being attracted to very muscly men, even in college. I'd prefer healthy, funny, considerate, smart, no need to go on, is there? And the things I looked for in a man changed with my age, with my place in life, and probably many other things.
Attractiveness is a very personal opinion, I don't see how this can be quantified.
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"Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles." ~Alex Karras |
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