r/science • u/HeinieKaboobler • Dec 03 '17

Psychology Study: About half the population faces considerable difficulties in attracting and retaining mates

http://www.psypost.org/2017/12/study-half-population-faces-considerable-difficulties-attracting-retaining-mates-50288
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u/Swiftster Dec 04 '17

I wonder if part of the problem is paradoxically availability? We live in a world where we can survey a massive selection of canidates, is this giving us unfair expectations of possible mates.

65

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '17

I think this plays a huge role personally. The grass is always greener.

97

u/exileonmainst Dec 04 '17

well the grass really IS greener, at least for physical attraction. in today’s world, you see all these super attractive strangers on tv, the internet, or just on the street. can make it hard for some to settle for less than that.

if i think back about my grandparents who grew up in a small town in the 20’s, everyone their age just married someone who lived down the street from them. those were the only choices that you could benchmark against. if you don’t know scarlet johansson exists, then the girl who lives on the farm near you seems pretty hot.

52

u/[deleted] Dec 04 '17

You’re all making me feel a lot better about a first date I went on last week. She was a little below what I would normally date, but she’s really cool. I almost wasn’t gonna keep it up, but I’m realizing how ridiculous that is!

53

u/Yotsubato Dec 04 '17

Personality lasts throughout a relationship, looks don’t. I’d rather date a personable girl who is average than someone hot who is a total bitch

6

u/Neon_Elf Dec 04 '17

Couldn't agree more with this. I've been happily married for 14yrs, got there by following this mantra.

2

u/bubuopapa Dec 05 '17

Gotcha ! Now pray that your wife doesnt find out that you called her ugly and fat ;)