Due to media and social conditioning, many people want the “perfect” partner – someone who ticks all the boxes. But do factors like height, facial features, and wealth matter when choosing a romantic partner?

Let’s see what the studies say.

Do Women Prefer Men with Masculine Features?

There is a common belief that heterosexual women want masculine men, and the reasoning is hidden in evolutionary psychology. In prehistoric times, women needed strong, masculine men to protect them and their children, so it’s only natural that women nowadays still feel the same – it’s in our DNA, after all.

However, research on whether women prefer men with masculine features is inconclusive. Some studies show that there is a preference for masculine facial features, while other studies show no difference, and even some that show that women might prefer men with slightly feminine facial features.

There is a theory for why women might prefer a man with more feminine features when choosing a long-term partner. Social researcher Macken Murphy says it’s because a man with more feminine features might have a set of qualities better suited for co-parenting and raising children than a masculine, “alpha” male would have.

Do Men Only Care about Physical Attractiveness?

You must be physically attracted to your partner for the relationship to work, right? It’s a common belief that for men, physical attractiveness is the most important factor when choosing a mate.

A study that examined mate preferences amongst different sexes in 45 countries found that men tend to value attractiveness and youth in women the most. Another study that examined over 2,000 people in Bangladesh found that men value fertility and reproduction the most.

Men want partners who are able to reproduce and are in good health. Good skin and hair are seen as signs of fertility.

Women may also care about physical looks in men. An attractive partner is linked to higher rates of orgasms.

Do Women Want a Rich Man?

A girl listed what she wants in a man. She wants someone working in finance and with a trust fund.

It partly became viral because of men commenting that women were using men only for money. Is it an outdated myth or a fact?

The study that reviewed mate preferences across 45 countries found that women tend to value their mate’s financial status and stability more than men do. Another study found that if a man becomes unemployed, their partner is more likely to end the relationship.

A large study examined over 9,000 people across 37 cultures to find out what matters for them in long-term relationships the most using ‘this or that’ dimensions. Of course, there were gender differences.

When it came to Love vs. Status/Resources, men were more inclined to rate “Love” higher, while women often rated “Status/Resources” higher. When given a choice between “Dependable/Stable” and “Good Looks/Health,” women chose “Dependable/Stable.”

Women look for partners who can support them and their children. It’s not that women value rich men because of materialistic desires, but rather because they can provide safety and security for their family.

Are Height and Strength Important?

Social media expresses that the height of ideal partners are over 6 feet, but research doesn’t support this.

Muscularity matters much more when it comes to attractiveness than height does.

Muscularity signals more about someone’s personality – men with strong bodies might have traits such as hard-working, disciplined, and consistent, which women find attractive.