• Question: What make somebody 'sexy'?

    Asked by kelan to Keith, Heather, Elaine, Derek on 25 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Keith Siew

      Keith Siew answered on 25 Jun 2013:

      Well that’s a difficult one really… as there are a lot of different things that factor into attractiveness and sexiness!

      But the major one that spring to mind is symmetry! We often find things that are symmetrical quite beautiful… and people are no different… and there is a good evolutionary reason for this! Symmetrical facial features is a sign of good genes… and so is a good indicator for a potential mate to have your offspring with… thus we find them attractive.

      The other things would be masculinity or femininity depending on what you’re attracted too… for male “sexiness” its generally stuff like square jawline, deep voice, V-shape torso from shoulders to hips, stubble, etc… As these are all features of exposure to high levels of testosterone and good genes! With females it would be wider hip to shoulder ratio, softer features, higher pitched voice, etc… as these are indicators of good genes!

      So it all boils down to genes at the end of the day… picking the partner who would maximize the chances of you having healthy children who will survive to pass on their genes!

      Even something like smell can factor into it! Turns out women have an ability to select a person they find attractive only on scent!!! Does blind folded or by taking cuttings from clothes… Women have the ability to choose the person most genetically dissimilar from them!

    • Photo: Heather Eyre

      Heather Eyre answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      There are factors aside from all the biological and evolutionary factors Keith mentioned too.

      There are social factors at play too, as a social species it is (generally) quite important to fit in.

      From a social side there are conditioned factors, these often come from media (TV and magazines) but they aren’t always healthy. These can vary from female to male though – so often financial security and status can play a role when females are considering males!

      But the rules still stand about signs of fertility, that is really important otherwise your genes are going nowhere!

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