A study of over 7,000 Australian online dating users reveals that preferences for an ideal partner shift with age and differ between men and women, but converge over time. Researchers from Queensland University of Technology asked participants aged 16 to 65 to rate the importance of nine traits, including attractiveness, intelligence, and trust.
Young men prioritised physical attractiveness and build, while young women valued personality more. However, as men aged, they placed less emphasis on looks. Women consistently rated age, education, intelligence, income, trust, and emotional connection higher than men. By age 60, men valued personality traits more than women.
Lead author Stephen Whyte noted that older respondents care less about aesthetics and more about personality, suggesting 'the wisdom of age.' The study, published in Plos One, attributes gender differences partly to evolutionary psychology, specifically parental investment theory, which posits women are choosier due to greater reproductive investment.
Beatrice Alba of Deakin University added that while socialisation plays a role, evolutionary demands also drive differences. However, the theory has faced criticism for perpetuating sexism. The study also found that individuals with strong preferences for one trait tended to care intensely about multiple traits, especially during peak fertility and income years.
Brendan Zietsch from the University of Queensland cautioned that stated preferences may not align with actual choices, an area of ongoing research. The study, part of the Australian Sex Survey, used data from 2016 and may not fully represent the broader population due to its online dating user sample.
