Do you know why women are attracted to men with darker skin?

Prof. Know Why answers for your general knowledge and awareness:

Have you ever wondered why women are attracted to men with darker skin, while men prefer fair-complexioned females? Well, the attraction is driven by preferences based on moral assumptions, says a study.

Researchers from the University of Toronto, who conducted the study, said that women are predominantly attracted to men with darker skin because of latent thoughts about sex, mystery and danger. The findings suggested that, women would be naturally drawn to George Clooney over fellow actor and fairer-skinned, Daniel Craig.

On the other hand, men prefer fair-complexioned women. In fact, more men would instinctively prefer Keira Knightley than her Spanish counterpart Penelope Cruz. Researchers observed that lighter-skinned women in all races are seen as the ideal because of a subconscious association with innocence, purity, modesty, virginity, vulnerability and goodness.

The study was conducted on the basis of 2,000 advertising photographs of men and women, as models were considered the most attractive people of their races and genders.

“What the research shows is that our aesthetic preferences operate to reflect moral preferences. Within our cultures, we have a set of ideals about how women should look and behave. Lightness and darkness have particular meanings attached to them and we subconsciously relate those moral preferences to women and men” - said the study’s lead author Dr Shyon Baumann, a sociologist at the Toronto University.

According to the researchers, many judgments about beauty are made at a conscious level - such as about leg length, height, weight and the shape of the nose as well as the mouth. But, other physical attractiveness ideals, including complexion, are made at the subconscious level.

Related Why Answers:

• Do you know why older men prefer younger wives?
• Do you know why women are marrying younger men?
• Do you know why we fall in love?