title: Handsome wants as handsome does: physical attractiveness and gender differences in revealed sexual preferences.
abstract: In this article I evaluate the effect of physical attractiveness on young adults' sexual and romantic outcomes to reveal gender differences in acted preferences. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health), a probability sample of young adults (n = 14,276), I investigate gender differences in desired sexual partner accumulation, relationship status, and timing of sexual intercourse. I find gender differences in sexual and romantic strategies consistent with those predicted by the double standard of sexuality and evolutionary theory. Specifically, compared to men, women pursue more committed relationships, fewer sexual partners, and delayed sexual intercourse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA. emcclint@nd.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth Aura
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: McClintock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001504:Beauty; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003380:Courtship; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012928:Social Desirability; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult