Study Finds That Women Are Happier With Less Attractive Men

If you're reading this, LADs, there's a strong chance you fall into one of the following categories. Perhaps you're harbouring suspicions that you're secretly regarded as 'less than attractive'. Alternatively, you may be someone who thinks they're more attractive than they actually are, with plans to tag a long-suffering mate in here.

Nothing wrong with any of those things, to be honest, although you may well find yourself identifying with option number three: 'not arsed either way'. But if the first category feels more like you, don't worry! Good news may be at hand.

A Florida State University study has found that marriages and relationships (heterosexual ones, presumably) are more likely to be successful if the woman is more... well, 'aesthetically gifted' than her partner.

via GIPHY

One hundred and thirteen newly married couples, with the average age being in the late 20s, were rated on their attractiveness by evaluators from Southern Methodist University and Florida State University, according to The Chive.

They found that if a male is less attractive than his wife, he's likely to make more of an effort to please her, whether it be with gifts, by undertaking chores, working on their appearance, or even in the bedroom.

This in turn keeps the missus happy, thus making the relationship more sustainable.

via GIPHY

"The husbands seemed to be basically more committed, more invested in pleasing their wives when they felt that they were getting a pretty good deal," the study reads.

On the other hand, when evaluators rated the men more desirable, they found that the pressure women felt led to activities that had a negative impact on their lives.

To make up for them feeling inferior in terms of looks, the study found that they'd try diets, excessive exercise and other extreme measures to remain 'sexy'.

A sad man, presumably because he's just been rated by some random evaluators. Credit: PA

"The results reveal that having a physically attractive husband may have negative consequences for wives, especially if those wives are not particularly attractive," researcher Tania Reynolds said. "The research suggests there might be social factors playing a role in women's disordered eating."

Plus, the results suggest that if the male was 'better looking', they'd feel less inclined to help out with various things, which confirms that we're a generation of vain bastards.

Topics: Viral, Study, Sex and Relationships, Interesting, Relationship

James Dawson

James Dawson is a Journalist at LADbible. He has contributed articles to LADbible’s ‘Knowing Me, Knowing EU’ series on the EU referendum, the 'Electoral Dysfunction' series on the 2017 general election, the ‘U OK M8?’ series tackling mental health amongst young men, and for its ‘Climate Change’ initiative in partnership with National Geographic.

@thejaytoday