relationships

Ladies, stop searching for “Mr. Tall, Dark, & Handsome”

By: Melissa A. Kay

Attention single ladies! Before you limit your dating pool selections to only the finest and foxiest, consider a less-attractive fella if you want a long-lasting, successful, and happy relationship. While the stereotypical role of "Prince Charming" is never cast with an ogre, perhaps fairy tales ought to take the findings of a recent study from Florida State University and the Southern Methodist Univ. in Texas and "ugly-down" their movie hunks.

Why replace our studs with duds? As per doctoral student Tania Reynolds, "The results (of the study) reveal that having a physically attractive husband may have negative consequences for wives, especially if those wives are not particularly attractive." As you may have guessed, the reverse – if the wife is hotter – doesn't affect men in the same way. Shocker.

According to Indy 100, "The study looked at 113 heterosexual newlyweds in the Dallas area, who had all been married less than four months and all in their late 20s. Men who were considered to be less attractive than their wife often made more of an effort to please his other half." Perhaps without Brad Pitt looks, these fellas felt the necessity to make up for their shortcomings in the handsomeness department in other ways to keep their wives satisfied and willing to stay. Are you suddenly feeling less jealous of Jenna Dewan Tatum?

On the flip side, wives with more attractive hubbies felt less secure and more compelled to diet and stay in shape to keep up with their man. So, the less attractive the man, the better the woman feels about herself. Of course, what's on the inside is what should count, but even in committed relationships, the external plays a role in how we feel about ourselves.

Should women seek out potential husbands based on looks, specifically not-so-hot ones? Is George Costanza the new George Clooney? The study makes sense, when you consider that an "Average Joe" paired with Wonder Woman would be over the moon with pride. He'd do all he can to keep his honey happy, if not simply for the gratitude that such a beauty would put up with his beastliness.

Hey frogs, get ready to not only be kissed, but kept.


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