Mate Choice in Human

Abstract

The ultimate aim of human survival is propagation of DNA through reproduction and to enhance the fitness. Reproduction requires mates and sex. Human mate choice is complicated because a combination of influences always works. Men prefer young women with a low waist-to-hip ratio and are more interested in short-term casual sex than women. A man's mate value depends on his wealth, status, and power whereas a woman's mate value is influenced by her youth and physical attractiveness. In humans, both sexes tend to be choosy .Facial symmetry, facial averageness, facial expression of sex hor- mone levels, and male upper-body musculature, function as fitness indicators. Average faces are attractive in males, but females with more neotenous faces, including large eyes, small noses, and full lips are more attractive. Males with testos- terone-induced features such as high cheekbones, strong jaws, strong chins, and large noses are attractive. Similarities and dissimilarities in the mate choice of men and women are reviewed. Understanding the good gene based mate choice is yet to be conclusive. However, the indicators of mate choice have the genetic basis. Therefore, it seems probable that selection for genetic quality is the key criteria in human mate choice.