The Importance of Physical Attractiveness to Men

The article, “A meta-analysis of sex differences in romantic attraction: Do rating contexts moderate tactic effectiveness judgments?” by David Schmitt is a research article on whether or not “different

rating contexts might moderate effectiveness judgments.” The findings suggest that in looking for a mate, most males are drawn to physically attractive women, while most women are more drawn to resource-related attributes. This was proven throughout the research, despite what rating contexts were used.

I have seen this playing out in my own life. Last semester as a homework assignment for my Intro to Psychology class, we were asked to write out our top ten attributes we desired to find in a mate. In comparing my answers to that of a male classmate, I found our answers echoed that of the research done on male/female attraction. While physical attraction was not even listed among my ten desired attributes it ranked third on his. While financial stability was not listed among his top ten, it did make it into my top ten desired attributes though I gave it a low priority. I have seen this on many other occasions as well, so I think that it must be true that men value physical attractiveness more than woman. Although it is true, I don't think it is necessarily a good thing.

The Bible often downplays the value of physical attractiveness in comparison of other attributes a person can have. In Proverbs 31, the ideal woman is praised for being wise, hardworking, diligent, generous, resourceful and kind. Her physical beauty is not what makes her the ideal woman. To the contrary, the chapter ends by saying, “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.”  Physical attractiveness should not be prized over things such as wisdom, generosity, kindness, hard work, diligence, and resourcefulness, though it need not be completely excluded as there is a place for physical admiration such as in The Song Of Solomon.