Regardless of how much we try to be politically correct, we always suspect that men seek beauty and women seek wealth in the dating game.  It’s evolution.  A beautiful woman is more likely to be fertile and possess good genes.  Similarly, a successful man can provide the resources necessary to raise children.  In the simplistic world of the past, such a system was helpful.  After all, when people had to hunt and farm for their own food, survival depended quite a bit on being born healthy and robust.  This evolutionary instinct survives to today.  Recent research has shown that women place importance on monetary factors, while men seek attractiveness in their partners.  In other words, the criteria for mating have not evolved. 

Our mate selection process has been outstripped by technological and social advancements.  More women are obtaining higher education and holding high paying jobs.  There has been an increase in the number of women in law and policy making positions.  We have progressed to the point where we can realize that a woman’s worth is more than skin deep.  A woman no longer needs to marry a man for monetary support.  Other qualities in a man become more important like emotional support and flexibility.  For example, a busy career woman would need a partner who can be flexible enough to compromise with her work schedule and stresses.  Placing financial success on the top of the mating list is a mistake for modern woman because a good man with an average job can be easily overlooked.

For a man to worship beauty in a woman is also illogical.  With our constantly developing world that is full of conflicts and pitfalls, it would be far better to have a woman who is adaptable and emotionally strong.  Such qualities are not only good for a life companion who can struggle alongside you; they are also good for motherhood.  The genes for beauty are hardly more valuable than genes for intelligence and mental acuity.  Not to mention, our medical technology has improved to the point where the slight advantage of better physical health from beautiful mothers would not make a huge difference.  We no longer rely solely on the natural immune systems to combat diseases.

 With the divorce rate as high as they are, we must not be doing something right.  Our current attitude and views on mating is not compatible with the world we live in.  We must evolve that aspect of our society.  All things must evolve, or it will vaporize into the abyss of historical conventions.

Relevant Articles

BBC News: The Mating Game 

Globe and Mail: For men, the mating game is a fox hunt 

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