Everyone gets to an age where finding a long-lasting relationship feels more important than flings and holiday romances.
Now, scientists have pinpointed the qualities that men should look for in a woman they want to spend the rest of their lives with.
Compiling years worth of studies on love and relationships, Business Insider has narrowed down the 14 most appealing qualities of women that men should look out for. How many do you check off?
She is smarter than you
It’s always good to have someone that can challenge you intellectually, but studies find an intelligent partner can be so much more than that: it could protect you from dementia in later life.
Lawrence Whalley, professor emeritus of the University of Aberdeen, researches dementia. He says: “The thing a boy is never told he needs to do if he wants to live a longer life — but what he should do — is marry an intelligent woman. There is no better buffer than intelligence.”
She’s honest
This one is hardly surprising: honesty is the foundation of any strong relationship. And studies have confirmed that men want to have an honest woman by their side when they look for a long term committed relationship.
She has a positive outlook
Being around positive people is good for our mental health, and negative people will rub off on us. So it’s no wonder studies have found being with a positive partner is better for men’s health. Remember: the glass is half full.
She compromises with you
Psychologists of the UCLA studied 172 married couples for 11 years and came to a simple thesis – it’s all to do with compromising.
“It’s easy to be committed to your relationship when it’s going well,” said senior study author Thomas Bradbury. “As a relationship changes, however, shouldn’t you say at some point something like, ‘I’m committed to this relationship, but it’s not going very well — I need to have some resolve, make some sacrifices and take the steps I need to take to keep this relationship moving forward.”
The study found those willing to compromise more lead a happier relationship.
She laughs at your jokes
A big part of a relationship is having a similar sense of humour. When we know our partner finds us funny (i.e. they laugh at our jokes) we feel confident and positive in the relationship. But studies find it’s more important for men.
In 2006 a study by psychologists of Westfield State University confirmed this suggesting that having a partner who thinks they are funny is more important for men than for women.
She has an open heart
A study by the University of Westminster suggests that women who are open, loving and able to talk about their feelings are seen as more attractive.
She supports your goals and pursues her own
It’s all well and good supporting your partner’s goals and motivating them, but studies find men prefer women who have their own goals and who aren’t dependant. Read more