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Both Nelson and Pettijohn have also tested female subjects, but failed to find any consistent variation in what women say is their ideal male appearance. This is perhaps because men put more focus on women’s physical features than women do on men’s, says Pettijohn, or, alternatively, because “just being male brings about the association of being strong and independent,” regardless of size of eye, prominence of cheekbone, or heft of ass.
For anyone recoiling from the misogynistic tinge of these studies, take heart: There is some room for skepticism. One obvious question is whether this kind of research generalizes to the real world.
I made some phone calls to see whether I could find any anecdotal evidence for the trend. Three professional matchmakers said they all felt the idea was more or less absurd. “A guy yesterday said, ‘size 6 is too big! It has to be size 2,’” said Lisa Clampitt, a matchmaker in Manhattan.
The researchers’ predictions also failed to resonate with four different Manhattan men I spoke to with jobs in finance. Neither they nor their friends had recently been seeking heavier girlfriends, they told me, once they had finished expressing their incredulity.
“Not even the slightest bit?” I asked. “Not even unconsciously?”
No, they said, not as far they could tell. But then again, maybe they had just eaten dinner.
Casey Schwartz is a graduate of Brown University. She has previously written for The New York Sun and ABC News. Currently, she's working on a book about the brain world.
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Casey Schwartz is a graduate of Brown University and has a Masters Degree in psychodynamic neuroscience from University College London. She has previously written for The New York Sun and ABC News. Currently, she's working on a book about the brain world.
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Casey Schwartz is a graduate of Brown University and has a Masters Degree in psychodynamic neuroscience from University College London. She has previously written for The New York Sun and ABC News. Currently, she's working on a book about the brain world.
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Casey Schwartz is a graduate of Brown University and has a Masters Degree in psychodynamic neuroscience from University College London. She has previously written for The New York Sun and ABC News. Currently, she's working on a book about the brain world.
Womentoo
OKAY, THAT IS COOL, THE RECORD SHOWS, MEN ARE HAVE ALL THE RIGHT ANSWERS...HUH. THEY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE A PLUMP WOMAN BESIDE THEM SO THAT THEY WILL NOT MADE TO FEEL LIKE THEY FAILED BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF RESPONSIBILITY -BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION THEY FELL INTO.
Concordian
The smaller your pants, the more men want to get in 'em.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
writerforhire
So the font change in the article: is that like a test of the theory that bigger can be better? Or is it like Penis Thought theory? Maybe it is a regional theory wallet, brain, penis all in the same area?
Or maybe it is just something to write about a theory to get your mind off the poor econmy, have sex with someone new (mind manipulation equates to) exciting sex and be happy?
NinaMiller
Sorry if I'm being redundant, but: its quite telling that there are no data and no links. My guess is because the so-called researchers you interviewed are too embarrassed to show it.
This whole article is silly. Silly premise, silly experiments, silly findings, and silly people.
Big waste of time.
NinaMiller
[Sorry, I uploaded the same comment twice].
jainthorne
My favorite part of this whole article is the guy telling the matchmaker "It" has to be a size 2. Not she...."IT". Hmmm....let me guess why this guy needs a matchmaker. LMAO. My experience is in the real world people date and fall in love across a wide spectrum...not due to body parts or size.
orangetrousers
I think we should stop caring so much about what men want in a female figure. Im sorry but if we are in the business of generalizing, like this article has done, most of the men I have met are childish, stupid, insecure and judgmental and I go to an elite private college. Why would I want attract most of the idiots out there? Also, I dont think women are doing themselves any favors when they rely solely on their body to attract the opposite sex. If you are looking for a mate in life, remember that we are no longer Neanderthals, we have evolved.
finderj
The great popular philosopher Mark Twain said, "There are lies, damn lies and statistics."
lastcookie
This is just generalization on top of generalization.
Good luck finding any real evidence to support this hokum.
blade87
Yikes! You mean I've been starving myself for nothing?
I jest. How superficial it would be if women based all their nutritional needs and desires on what men want their bodies to look like.
Right. It seems some do, or this article wouldn't be here, with its poisoned jabs toward the tall, round, and voluptuous female.
This street runs both directions though. Males defining their worth by the size of their (portfolio, penis, female- name it) whatever are equally as superficial.
I say pair off, you vacuous beings! Revel in yourselves!
mumrock
There's a line from an Elton John song, "Times are changing, now the poor get fat." Heavy doesn't mean what it did in the 1920s, when extra weight was seen as a sign of success. Today it means not being able to afford vegetables and unprocessed, low-fat foods.
len811
RE
Concordian
The smaller your pants, the more men want to get in 'em.
Very, very true.
len811
RE
finderj
The great popular philosopher Mark Twain said, "There are lies, damn lies and statistics."
Yes, he did. But he was likely quoting someone else.
I like the personalized versions better:liars, damn liars, and statisticians..
joymars
Another non-story by The Beast. Congratulations.
But I am reminded about a news item that appeared last month. A Carnaval Queen in Brazil painted Obama on her thigh and, aside from other paint, paraded nude during Carnaval.
The woman was not fat, but she wasn't skinny either. She had lots to samba with, if you know what I mean. Well, the comment board at Huffpost lit up with howling dudes repeating one thing: Why are we sold skinny women in this country? Skinny isn't sexy!
But I feel they could want all that moving action from the safety of the internet, looking at a distant culture.
My theory for years about why men prefer size 2 women is that the smaller and weaker the woman, the less they are intimidated sexually. And men's sexual insecurities don't change with the economy. Actually, during a downturn, something else downturns.
Sure there are chubby-chasers, but that's a fetish. There are always fetishists, but they are always a very small minority.
Thank you.
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