Women who date less attractive men have better relationships, study finds

We already live in a very self conscious world, and the last thing you would ever want to be called is 'ugly'.

However, if you happen to be a man that hasn't been blessed with the looks of George Clooney good news is on the way.

Research by Florida State University and the Southern Methodist University in Texas has found that relationships are more likely to be successful if the woman is more attractive than the man.

The study looked at 113 heterosexual newlyweds in the Dallas area, who had all been married less than four months and all in their late 20s.

From there they were asked a series of questions that focused on things like diet and keeping fit.

All participants were also photographed by the researchers and ranked on a scale of 1 to 10 on their attractiveness.

The results showed that men who were considered to be less attractive than their wife often made more of an effort to please his other half.

This could range from things like showering her with gifts, doing more household chores, improving his appearance and even upping his game in the bedroom.

News.com.au quote the study as saying:

The husbands seemed to be basically more committed, more invested in pleasing their wives when they felt that they were getting a pretty good deal.

So, that's why they were so happy in Beauty and the Beast, right?.

At the other end of the spectrum the results were a lot different.

When the researchers looked at a couple where the man was considered to be the most attractive of the couple, it was deemed to have negative effects.

Women in these relationships felt compelled to diet and exercise excessively in order to keep their husband's happy, which can lead to eating disorders and other problems.

Doctoral student Tania Reynolds, who worked on the study offers a solution to this scenario.

Florida State University News quote her as saying:

One way to help these women is for partners to be very reaffirming, reminding them, ‘You’re beautiful. I love you at any weight or body type.'

Or perhaps focusing on the ways they are a good romantic partner outside of attractiveness and emphasising those strengths: ‘I really value you because you’re a kind, smart and supportive partner.’

HT news.com.au, Science Direct,

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