Mate Selection

A Biologist Wants to Know

Actually, I’m asking for a friend…

I had a conversation with a friend whose husband is recovering from a broken leg.

Somehow, as is usual, the War between the Genders came up. I like to argue this with people who can disagree without being offended. Smart women don’t mind a little competitive back and forth, if it’s done good naturedly.

If you want an interesting conversation, trying discussing this with a pretty woman.

Thesis: drop-dead gorgeous women are great as arm-candy and when dating, but don’t marry one. They are too much trouble. Bear in mind, they may not be drop-dead gorgeous forever, although the good ones retain their magic forever.

It is more practical to find one who is attractive but not so much that she feels entitled to always have it her way. Or else.

The key here is the threat Or Else.

It seems a better, more practical match when equality exists. In all matters: finances, looks, in spirit, interests, education, goals and expectations.

If the man is far superior, the woman is in trouble, and vice versa.

That leads to the perennial male question What do women want?

I fear there is no actual answer that covers the majority of cases, but verbalizing it often catches us off-guard.

This is probably more of a thread-starter than a thought-provoking observation, but I thought I’d just throw this out while working on other things…