Do you have preferences when choosing a mate?

Buss, D. 2001. A Half of Century of Mate Preferences: The Cultural Evolution of Values. Journal of Marriage and Family. Vol. 63, No. 2, pp. 491-503.

This article examines and argues that humans have preferences and search for specific traits when choosing a mate. Several changes in values were documented over a 57-year time span (1939- 1996) to prove the dominant traits and values people want their mates to possess. Both sexes said early on and throughout this time period that physical attractiveness is at the utmost importance. Both sexes, but an increased amount of men, shared that a mate with good financial prospects is important. Recently, men have had a decreased need of domestic skills in a partner, much less than in earlier time spans. Lastly, love and attraction also ranked high in importance throughout the entire time span. All in all when choosing a mate, people have preferences, and look for specific values when selecting a mate.

Cheyenne Inglis