SCIENCE: Weirdly Huge Attractiveness Disparities in Couples are Worse than Puberty

We've all read the studies. The ones that say that a slim body, plump lips, large eyes, long, light-colored hair, and a ratio of X between the tiny waist and ample hips are what attracts a man to a woman, because men are wired to be attracted to signs of youth, and the others that tell us that broad shoulders V-ing down to a narrower waist, but also an appearance of having, or being able to procure, wealth, even if this means (maybe especially if it means) a bit of gray in the hair are things that a woman can't help but want to get with.

I've also seen studies saying that, evolutionarily, women have continued to get hotter generation after generation, and guys have...well, they haven't.

But aren't you supposed to end up with someone who is approximately as attractive as you are? Aren't even your friendships supposed to feel the invisible hand of attractiveness-uniformity? Aren't you going to want someone at least close to your level of attractiveness when you have to look at him or her during sex?

I'm not talking about when a six dates a seven, of course - I'm talking about the times when it's serious, when a 4 is with a 6, or even a [gasp] 8! How did this come about?

I see these couples on a regular basis, the girl's looks generally favored, and I immediately make assumptions - "she must be with him for money" being the foremost contender. And occasionally, VERY occasionally, HE is the significantly better-looking of the pair...and I assume that this time our lady is the one with deep pockets, or at least, connections. And while I get that, for we ladies, this may be the result of our biological clocks caring less about his hair line than how well-lined his pockets are, I still can't imagine that initial meeting, in a bar, or out with friends, the one where she started flirting mercilessly with a guy that you'd assume is more used to getting pity-f**ks than pretty ones.

Yes, this says more about me than about the couples in question.

But at least other people aren't questioning the ulterior motivations behind my coupling. Or ARE they?!?!?

-Posted by Jilly, a deeply shallow woman.