We can thank res
earchers at Chapman University for this advice about what we–both men and women–look for when we look for a mate. The findings –what people find “desirable†and “essential†in a long-term partner –are based on two of the largest national studies of mate preferences ever conducted. Here’s the unsurprising part: Although men have stronger preferences for a ‘good looking’ and ‘slender’ partner, men and women care equally about having a partner who is specifically attractive to them. Wealthier men and people who were more confident in their appearance had stronger preferences for a good-looking partner, and older men and women placed less importance on looks and income traits when seeking a long-term partner.  And here, from the Chapman University press room, are some of the findings broken down by category:
Gender Differences:  Men and women differed in the percentage indicating:
- it was ‘desirable/essential’ that their potential partner was good-looking (M 92 percent vs. W 84 percent),
- had a slender body (M 80 percent vs. W 58 percent),
- had a steady income (M 74 percent vs. W 97 percent),
- and made/will make a lot of money (M 47 percent vs. W 69 percent).
There were also gender differences in whether it was ‘very important/a must have’ that their partner made at least as much money as they do (M 24 percent vs. W 46 percent) and had a successful career (M 33 percent vs. W 61 percent), but not in whether their partner was physically attractive to them (M 40 percent vs. W 42 percent).
 Confidence in Physical Attractiveness: People who reported greater satisfaction with their own appearance did not have stronger preferences for a partner who is physically attractive to them, but they did report stronger preferences for partners who are good looking and slender – this was true for both men and women.
Income: People with higher incomes had stronger preferences for partners who are good looking – and this was true for both men and women. Men with higher incomes showed stronger preferences for women with slender bodies. Wealthier women had stronger preferences for men who had a steady income or made lots of money.
Education: Men with more education had stronger preferences for female partners who are good looking and slender; however for both men and women, education level was not related to preferences for steady income or making a lot of money.
Age: Older people – both men and women – had weaker preferences for a partner they find physically attractive, who make as much money as they do, and who has a successful career.