| Why is it that so many women are attracted to the | | | | such a coupling would therefore be likely to have |
| "bad boy" types ... the ones that mothers have long | | | | better genes." |
| been warning daughters to avoid? | | | | An Attraction to the 'Other' Extreme |
| "There is just SOMETHING about these guys that | | | | The bad-boy attraction that some women feel may |
| draws you in, even as your head tells you to | | | | also stem from a desire to taste a more risky side |
| "beware"!" says Toni Coleman, a relationship coach in | | | | of life -- one they themselves don't want to pursue, |
| Virginia. | | | | just experience. |
| It happens to both young and old. According to a | | | | Said Professor Petruska Clarkson, a consultant |
| survey by Harlequin publishers of nearly 1,000 U.S. | | | | psychologist and relationship psychotherapist, " ... |
| women: | | | | There has always been a strong sexual attraction to |
| 21 percent of women 35 and older would rather take | | | | men who are so-called 'bad boys'." |
| a chance with a bad boy than date someone slow | | | | Speaking of an extreme (and much more |
| and steady | | | | uncommon) example of "bad-boy" attraction, some |
| 31 percent of women with children younger than 18 | | | | women even write letters to convicted serial killers in |
| would take a chance with a bad boy (compared with | | | | prison. |
| 16 percent of women without kids) | | | | "Villains capture the imagination. Human beings are |
| Ironically, if you ask a woman what she is looking for | | | | interested in those who live by extremes since they |
| in a man, she will most likely not describe any of the | | | | often do what other, more ordinary mortals, cannot |
| characteristics of a typical "bad boy," which often | | | | bear to think of themselves capable [of doing]," |
| resembles confidence that borders on (or steps way | | | | Clarkson said. |
| over the border on) cockiness, arrogance and | | | | But Do Nice Guys Really Finish Last? |
| machismo. | | | | Attraction is one thing. A life-long commitment is |
| "A Bad Boy exudes untamed masculinity, | | | | another. When it comes to marriage, do women still |
| independence and confidence," says Michael | | | | prefer the bad boys? Probably not, as most women |
| Fitzgerald, author and relationship correspondent for | | | | are looking for commitment, loyalty and trust from |
| AskMen.com, "To women, these traits -- especially | | | | their potential mate -- none of which are bad-boy |
| confidence -- are an aphrodisiac." | | | | traits. |
| But why? | | | | As it turns out, at least one study by researchers at |
| "Dominant" Men Smell Better | | | | the University of Pécs in Hungary found that |
| At least, that's the case when women are ovulating. | | | | women actually marry men who look like their |
| A study by Prague researchers asked 65 women to | | | | fathers. |
| rate the smells of 48 men (by smelling cotton pads | | | | "Our results support the notion of a long-lasting |
| that had been worn in their armpits for 24 hours). | | | | effect of attachment during childhood on later mating |
| The men had assessed how dominant they felt | | | | preferences," said the researchers. According to their |
| beforehand. | | | | findings, people make a mental model of their |
| Each woman rated the scent of 10 pads on the basis | | | | opposite-sex parent's appearance and then seek it |
| of intensity, sexiness and masculinity. Women who | | | | out later in life. |
| were at the most fertile stage of their menstrual | | | | So what are women really looking for? You may be |
| cycle were more likely to rate the odor of the | | | | surprised to hear that it's the same thing as men. |
| dominant men as sexy. | | | | Harlequin's international survey found that the most |
| Said researcher Dr. Craig Roberts, "There seems to | | | | important trait in a mate -- to both men and women |
| be some sort of physiological mechanism that directs | | | | in the United States -- is a sense of humor. |
| women to indicators of good genes. The offspring of | | | | |