What characteristics of the opposite gender do heterosexual males and Research Paper

What characteristics of the opposite gender do heterosexual males and females consider most important for sexual and marriage partners - Research Paper Example Many theories have been conceptualized based on the findings of the researches. Cross-cultural evidence proves that men tend to place more value on physical attractiveness while women seek earning potential and possession of resources as valuable traits of potential romantic partners. (Buss et al, 1990). Matlin (2008) explains this gender difference in trait preferences for a partner as based on an evolutionary psychology approach. According to this approach, people’s preferences have roots in evolution where men prefer young, attractive, healthy-looking women who are likely to pass on men’s genes to the next generation. On the other hand, women are drawn to men who are economically stable to ensure that their future children are well provided for (Matlin, 2008). This is consistent with the findings of Sakalli-Ugurlu (2003) where women were found to be more concerned about the future security of their future families than men are. Some have very high standards in their choices that nobody comes to par and they end up alone. Men and women hold different views on mate selection. This study aims to explore those differences, specifically on the traits they hold dear in prospective partners. ... These preference for so-called luxuries are held more by more affluent women in western cultures than women in poorer and more traditional cultures (Geary, Virgil and Byrd-Craven, 2004). Men consistently have admitted their primary preference for a partner’s youth and physical attractiveness as well as a mate’s chastity and sexual fidelity (Buss et al, 2001). This may be explained by the social structural theories. In most cultures, women view marriage as a ticket to material comfort so they search for potential husbands based on their economic potentials and resources. However, as cultures evolve, women have become more empowered in creating their own material abundance through their careers and as they gain economic equality with men, they now focus less on a potential mate’s resources and status and more on aforementioned relationship â€Å"luxuries† such as kindness, honesty and a sense of humor. This theory is backed up by Eagly & Wood (1999) who foun d that the structural features of societies may dictate mate preferences. For example, gender differences in preferences for a mate’s earning potential (men) and homemaking skills (women) may be strongly influenced by the economic status held by men and women in various societies. Following the tradition of large-scale studies of Buss (1990) and Eagly and Wood (1999), Lippa (2007) was likewise engaged in a more modern study involving an internet survey sponsored by BBC, wherein over 200,000 participants ranked their preferred traits in potential mates. The 23 trait choices were age, ambition, communication skills, dependability, domestic skills, face attractiveness, fitness, fondness for children, hands, health, honesty, humor, industriousness, intelligence,