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ATTRACTION A MATTER OF TIMING
Veronique Mistiaen. Compiled by Cassandra West.
Beauty is in the eye of the woman who beholds it, though it may
depend on the time of the month, scientists say. Scottish and Japanese
researchers, reporting in the journal Nature, said studies have shown
that, in general, women prefer male faces with slightly "feminized"
features--a high browline, small nose--which may indicate kindness and
a caring nature. A more masculine look denotes virility and the
ability to produce healthy offspring.
In evolutionary terms, women are faced with a dilemma when they select
a partner, the researchers said. Should a woman choose a "masculine"
mate, who's likely to produce strong offspring, or a more "feminine"
partner, who might make a better parent? The answer might depend on
where she is in her menstrual cycle, researchers say. Studying British
and Japanese women's preferences for male faces at various stages of
their menstrual cycle, researchers found that evolution may have
programmed women to have the best of both worlds. Women at the most
fertile part of their cycle preferred the more masculine faces and at
all other times, preferred the more feminine ones. Women on the pill
were not included in the study.
Article URL:
http://chicagotribune.com/leisure/womannews/article/0,2669,SAV-9907070023,FF.html
This interesting article was contributed by Teresa Ridley,
who works in the magazine industry.
Thanks Teresa!
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