Determinants of Male physical attractiveness
Sexual attraction for males on the part of females is determined, amongst many other things, by the height of the man. Males at least a few inches/centimeters taller chest than the average, and an erect posture. Women seem more receptive to an erect posture than men, though both prefer it as an element of beauty; this fact appears correlated to the preference for males who demonstrate confidence, physical strength and a powerful bearing.
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During the social revolutions following the Second World War, the concept of male beauty became increasingly accepted by mainstream male populations in the West (previously, the idea of a man being preoccupied with his appearance was considered slightly abnormal; there are still some proscriptions in many societies of the world, including that of China, where the term choumei (literally: stinking beauty) still has some strength). Today, certain characteristics are generally accepted throughout the Western world as signs of physical attractiveness. These are, of course, far from universal:
Physique
Muscular physiques are generally considered an attractive trait for men in the West although extreme over-development can be viewed as undesirable. As a general rule, muscularity is probably attractive in men as an indicator of health, and because it is a major differentiator between the typical body morphology of males and females. |
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Facial structure
In Western societies, men and women of all ethnicities often agree that a face with pronounced cheekbones and often a heavily-set jaw is physically attractive. These are currently viewed as indicative of a "masculine personality". These skeletal features in addition to a slightly elongated face can make the masculinity more heightened and the male much more attractive.
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Hair
The popularity of particular hairstyles changes constantly. Hairstyles are very easy to alter, are generally the least conformist expression of individuality, and as a result men can be regarded as attractive regardless of the form of their hair. Differentiation line between forehead and hair-mass is an indication of masculinity. A hair-line with a degree of protrusion over the temples is typical of masculinity. In certain cultures, like India, having a big forehead is considered a sign of good fortune.
Hair color is sometimes a factor. In certain societies, semi-rare hair colors such as blond and red hair are preferred, although the preference depends on the person. In others, such as Japan, only jet black is seen as "proper," and examples exist of students with naturally grayish or brown hair being forced to dye their hair black by school authorities.
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