Talk about science confirming the obvious    … a new study shows the more money and power women have, the more they want a good looking man to share it all with… But there are surprises….

Unlike rich men, who’ll go for a younger model almost every time, wealthy women don’t go for a toy boy.

Instead, they prefer an attractive older man. And it seems as they earn more and become more financially independent, their tastes change.

With Money, Older Better

When they’re less secure, they favour material stability and look for a “good provider”. But once their needs are taken care of, they go for good looks – but not necessarily young good looks.

(See Top 50 Sexiest Men)

Lead researcher Dr Fhionna Moore, a psychology lecturer at the University of Abertay Dundee says the study assumed that as women earn more, their partner preferences would become more like those of men,

That means tending towards preferring younger, more attractive partners rather than those who can provide and care for children.

Growing Female Confidence

“However, the preferred age difference did not change as we’d expected — more financially independent women actually preferred even older men.

“We think this suggests greater financial independence gives women more confidence in partner choices, and attracts them to powerful, attractive older men.”

The study was conducted online with 3770 heterosexual participants, who were asked questions about their background and personal situation, and their level of financial independence. 1851 women and 1919 men took part in the research.

No Toy Boys Please

Participants ranked a series of criteria such as physical attraction, financial prospects and sense of humour in order of importance, with these results matched against their income and financial independence.

“The behaviour of men and women does become more similar as women earn more, but only in terms of the importance of physical attraction,” Dr Moore added.

“But the similarities stop there: greater income makes women prefer even older men, and men prefer even younger women.

The research is published in the latest online issue of the journal Evolutionary Psychology.

What Do You Think?

This research might seem like a “duh” topic but what do you think? Have you had experience of this – or seen friends who have? What would your preference be if you had the choice?  We’d love to hear your views.

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About the author

Jenny W