Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. To each his -- or her -- own. Whatever floats your boat.
Point is, when it comes to finding a mate, each person values different traits in a potential significant other. Be it beauty, brains or Benjamins, everyone has their own opinion about what makes another person desirable. But how truly different are we when it comes to choosing choice characteristics in another? And do women value the same things in their Mr. Rights as men admire in their Misses?
These questions have been the focus of many social and psychological studies, especially in recent months, as America prepares itself for the forever-awaited (and often hated) Valentine's Day.
A recent study conducted by WhatsYourPrice.com, the world's largest dating auction website, which allows users to bid on first dates, revealed that women in Washington believe income is the most important quality in a male partner, followed by education and then physical characteristics, such as eye and hair color and body type. Specifically, Washington's perception of the "perfect man" earns $150,000 to $200,000 a year, obtained a graduate degree, and has brown hair with blue eyes and an athletic build, the survey found.
Similar research compiled and reported by Men's Health Magazine revealed that men share some of the same beliefs as women in regards to what makes up the perfect woman. According to research in The Journal of Sex Research, men reported being more satisfied when their partner had an adequate education background. A study published in The American Journal of Sociology also revealed the majority of men seek a woman who can pull her own weight, economically, in the relationship. A 2011 study from the U.K. also determined men prefer brunettes as opposed to blondes and redheads, the magazine said.
But where do we fit into all of this?
With this information in mind, The Frederick News-Post asked Fredericktonians last week what kind of men and women they find most desirable.
Responses provided from a small sample of randomly selected Frederick residents, ages 18 to 55-plus, revealed most females value a sense of humor most, as opposed to income, education, physical attractiveness, sexual compatibility, shared religious or political views, and similar interests. Coming in a close second was shared interests, and education was also highly regarded.
Frederick males also view education as being important but value physical appearance much more than females, most of whom gave little value to the characteristic. Both genders agreed that religious and political views were least important.
Other traits that Frederick residents listed included communication, honesty, loyalty and trust, mutual attraction, responsibility, patience, willingness to compromise, and intelligence.
And while most people likely take many, if not all, of these things into account when choosing a partner, other studies suggest one's taste changes with age.
So choose your Valentine this year with caution. Surveys say what may be attractive today could be just average, abhorrent or downright annoying in the future. ___
(c)2013 The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.)
Visit The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.) at www.fredericknewspost.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.