Men’s Facial Scars Increase Attractiveness
Scientists at the University of Liverpool found that women find scarring on men attractive because they connect it with health and bravery. Non-Western cultures perceive facial scars as signs of maturity and strength – but researchers are just discovering that Western women also find men’s facial scars attractive.
These researchers worked with scientists at the University of Stirling to analyze how women perceive long-term, short-term relationships, and men’s facial scars. The result?
“Women may have rated scarring as an attractive quality for short-term relationships because they found it be a symbol of masculinity, a feature that is linked to high testosterone levels and an indicator of good genetic qualities that can be passed on to offspring,” says Dr. Rob Burriss, from the University’s School of Biological Sciences, says. “Men without scars, however, could be seen as more caring and therefore more suitable for long-term relationships.”
Why are Facial Scars Attractive?
Dr. Burriss explains that facials scars are appealing because they are signs of bravery. “Scarring on a man was often evidence of his courage and ability to withstand an opponent’s blow,” he says.
This researcher also explains that this study also shows that Western and non-Western cultures are more alike than previously thought. “The perception that scarring is a sign of strength is a view shared by the Yanomamö tribe of Venezuela for example, who use face-paint to accentuate scars that result from ritualised club fights designed to test a man’s endurance against repeated strikes to the head,” says Dr. Burriss.
Top 6 Personality Traits Women Want in Male Dating Partners
MeasureUP Place, an online interactive survey website, found the following six traits are most important in male dating partners:
Women chose these six out of 40 ideal personality traits of male dating partners. A man’s facial scars aren’t personality traits – but women could see those scars as representive of courage and strength.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool found that women find scarring on men attractive because they connect it with health and bravery. Non-Western cultures perceive facial scars as signs of maturity and strength – but researchers are just discovering that Western women also find men’s facial scars attractive.
These researchers worked with scientists at the University of Stirling to analyze how women perceive long-term, short-term relationships, and men’s facial scars. The result?
- Women preferred men with facial scars for short-term relationships.
- Women preferred scarred and un-scarred faces for long-term relationships.
“Women may have rated scarring as an attractive quality for short-term relationships because they found it be a symbol of masculinity, a feature that is linked to high testosterone levels and an indicator of good genetic qualities that can be passed on to offspring,” says Dr. Rob Burriss, from the University’s School of Biological Sciences, says. “Men without scars, however, could be seen as more caring and therefore more suitable for long-term relationships.”
Why are Facial Scars Attractive?
Dr. Burriss explains that facials scars are appealing because they are signs of bravery. “Scarring on a man was often evidence of his courage and ability to withstand an opponent’s blow,” he says.
This researcher also explains that this study also shows that Western and non-Western cultures are more alike than previously thought. “The perception that scarring is a sign of strength is a view shared by the Yanomamö tribe of Venezuela for example, who use face-paint to accentuate scars that result from ritualised club fights designed to test a man’s endurance against repeated strikes to the head,” says Dr. Burriss.
Top 6 Personality Traits Women Want in Male Dating Partners
MeasureUP Place, an online interactive survey website, found the following six traits are most important in male dating partners:
- Good Judgment
- Intelligence
- Faithful
- Affectionate
- Financially Responsible
- Good Father
Women chose these six out of 40 ideal personality traits of male dating partners. A man’s facial scars aren’t personality traits – but women could see those scars as representive of courage and strength.
