The Daily Telegraph reported that researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found that women are now more attracted to feminine looking men than their traditional more rugged counterparts. Research was conducted in 4 500 women from 30 different countries around the world and found that 68% of women in Sweden preferred feminine men whilst only 45% of Brazilians did so.

 

A correlation was found between the quality of healthcare offered in a particular country and the desire of women to have a more feminine partner.

 

Doctor De Bruin, from the University of Aberdeen stated: “We found that women in countries like Brazil, Argentina and Mexico where the health is poorer were more attracted to masculine looking faces than women in countries like Belgium and Sweden, which have lower mortality rates and higher longevity.”

 

A possible explanation for this is that feminine looking men may be more willing to help out with childcare, work around the home and be willing to participate in the emotional needs of womenkind. As women now have careers and work as much as men, they no longer can fully carry out their traditional jobs in the home.

 

Although not mentioned in The Telegraph article, it is possible to hypothesize that there is some degree of evolutionary pre-programming to enable women to recognize men more willing to help out with chores around the house.

[Update (23rd March 2010): An article in Macleans suggests that women who take the contraceptive pill prefer more feminine men]

At the end of the day, to live a Zen lifestyle, a family needs to have balance and the members of the family unit need their own balance. Thus all of the less interesting chores need to be shared so that each individual is happier and the family unit as a whole will be better off.

Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dinogen/183289466