I’ve known this to be true for years !

what a crock, since when is marriage all about looks ?

This is absolutely NOT true.

stupid! how can you determine ANYTHING with people who have been married 6 mo or less?!?!? talk to people married 10 yrs or more. also, who determines who is most attractive? those in the relationship–like how many people are going to say “yes, I am more attractive than my ugly spouse.”?–or the ‘researchers’? not much for research, eh? 164 newlyweds….not a good study!

No one likes a fatty!!!

True, but men today are programmed by the media as to what is sexy and beautiful. Too bad we don’t stress inner beauty is the key to a lasting relationship.

I don’t think we have enough to do anymore…these stupid “studies” waste time and money…

Too many studies and books being written on “how to be the best pig in the pigpen..” Come on! It hardly comes down to “looks!”

I know its true, and have known it for years. My marraige is like this and several of my friends. I think there are more reasons for this than stated here in this article.

I’ve been married for 38 years come October – I always thought my husband was better looking. I don’t put much stock in this study. Maturity level, committment and COMMMON VALUES are much more important to a good marriage than who is prettier!

A woman who is more attractive than the “whimp”, has control, since she feels the “whimp” isn’t going anywhere.

A woman who is more attractive than the “whimp”, has control, since she feels the “whimp” isn’t going anywhere

What an amazing finding!!: Men enjoy having attractive an wife

Women tend to like “kind eyes”.

This song came out in the 50’s. Sigh, which way to go?

If You Wanna Be Happy
Jimmy Soul

If you wanna be happy
For the rest of your life,
Never make a pretty woman your wife,
So from my personal point of view,
Get an ugly girl to marry you.

A pretty woman makes her husband look small
And very often causes his downfall.
As soon as he marries her
Then she starts to do
The things that will break his heart.
But if you make an ugly woman your wife,
You’ll be happy for the rest of your life,
An ugly woman cooks her meals on time,
She’ll always give you peace of mind.

Don’t let your friends say
You have no taste,
Go ahead and marry anyway,
Though her face is ugly,
Her eyes don’t match,
Take it from me she’s a better catch.

Say man.
Hey baby.
Saw your wife the other day.
Yeah?
Yeah, she’s ugly.
Yeah, she’s ugly but she sure can cook.
Yeah?. Okay.

I think it is true.
Men that are less attractive have found women that they feel are a prize and thus treat them so.
Women that are treated as treasures are more likely to be happy and content.

A man with an attractive wife will be less likely to stray, especially if he deems her as attractive.

Science is science folks, I look forward to them extending their survey.

My wife certainly could be considered out of my league on looks. Her friends use to give her a hard time about why would she date me in the beginning. We are now married 11 years come this October.

I bet most of these negative comments are coming from males!

This is just the opposite, men do NOT want their woman being as attractive as them, they feel threaten, and they think the woman gets more attention then they do. (ego comes into play here)Not sure who did this survey but, in my experience and talking to men they have even told me as such, with comments like ” Yeah, my first wife was so pretty I made damn sure my second wife wasn’t going to be!”

The study is flawed in several respects. Money is still the number one reason why people get a divorce. Many marriages stay in tack because the wife feels she can’t leave. It is all about security. Happy marriages are not based solely on looks. It has been found that people who attend church regularly are more often happier and less likely to get a divorce. One cannot dismiss the spiritual ties to God and each other. It works. The couple tends to stay on the same page by having values reinforced each week.

I don’t necessarily disagree with the studies conclusions but it seems flawed if the couples were only married 6 months or less. Often as a couple ages, the woman’s beauty fades. Shouldn’t the study look at longer duration marriages and see if the same results happen? By the way, my wife (a beauty) married an ugly duckling and we have been “happy” for 47 years.

This just proves that women are less secure than men. If the woman marries someone they consider less attractive than themselves they will think other women won’t make a play for their man…..typical thought process for a woman.

I married a very plain guy, and he STILL turned into a porn-addicted drunk. He was great the first two years and slowly went downhill, changing into someone I didn’t recognize, so watch out girls. “Ugly” doesn’t necessarily mean safe!! … didn’t do the trick for me!

Why didn’t all my mariages work, I’m ug?ly. Oh yeh pretty mean and cranky too.
Well can’t be perfect. Hey moderator?

I totally agree with daniray! How can you even publish a “research” based on ONLY 82 couples whom have ONLY been married for 6 months, come on people……get real!

Amen!!! My college roomate always said “If you are going to be in a relationship, be the Ugly One”. So far it has worked out great for me!

This study is such a crock! My very handsome husband and I have been married for 33 years (together for 35). I would say we are pretty well matched in the looks department, and our marriage has been exceptionally good and strong and remains that way after all these years. Maybe the study should have been talking to couples like us who have been together for a very long time, rather than newlyweds.

Maybe, but it didn’t work for Eliot Spitzer.

And it didn’t even work for Angelina, but worse — if it had, Shiloh would look like Billy Bob, not Brad.

Did the survey include men who have successful careers & same religious beliefs as the women? … because that can make a world’s difference in today’s society! In other words, a man who is considered ‘ugly’ would be equivalent to a tanned, poster-bodied man through the woman’s eyes if the man’s qualities ‘fit-the-glove,’ so to speak! Thank you.

Absolutely true — if a man marries “up”, he knows that he’s done just about as well as he can, and his propensity to fool around are lowered, simply because his options are lowered…he won’t do much better than what he already has. But a guy who considers himself superior in looks to his wife, is going to always be thinking that maybe, just maybe, he could have done better — as a result, his tendency to fool around is going to be higher. This is not a condemnation of men, just an acknowledgement that men are in fact looking for something better all the time — the comedian Chris Rock once put it very plainly, (and so honestly): “A man is only as limited as his options”. But with all that said, most relationships that are well-established survive any perceived physical inequities between the couple: morality, societal influences, and United States divorce laws, serve to water-down the willingness of either party (especially the husband) to look for a “better partner” –which is a good thing.

More attractive, more talented, my wife was, is and always will be. We have fifty five years and seven children to vouch for it. Looks, talents are distant secondary considerations to love. Some of us are just lucky. I wonder why. Could it be kindness, thoughtfulness, sharing, sacrificing, supporting, forgiveness, attentiveness, laughter, selflessness, commitment etc.? Cleanliness, neatness along with all of the above trump “looks” every time.

I wonder where the cries of sexism and discrimination will come from – oh wait, this is about men so there won’t be any. Typical junk science getting some press just like the fake study that said men abuse more on Super Bowl weekend – a study that never took place but feminazi’s love to refer to as a fact.

So, you think this study was done by a bunch of ugly male psychologists??? Then again, my fiancee’ is much better looking that I am. But then she is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Since when was a study with 82 couples over 6 months considered conclusive research?!? These studies are so ridiculous. Commitment makes a marriage successful. If true love is based on looks, no wonder the divorce rate is so high. We’d better change the old saying to “Love is only skin deep!” What a sad, shallow world.

Guess this explains why my theory based on the old 50s or 60s song which goes something like “If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife”, resulted in my being married & divorced three times.

As a woman who is happily married to a man who I thought was less attractive than I was when we met, I feel qualified to comment. This study is pure CRAP.

By the time our relationship progressed to the point of marriage, I was in love with my husband. And I think he’s the most attractive man on the planet. Relative physical attractiveness isn’t really a factor if you’re in the relationship for the proper reason. My husband is the most wonderful, sexy, caring, giving, loving man on the planet as far as I’m concerned. I think he’s a 10 now, even if I thought he was a 3 when we met.

Again, why study newlyweds? Why not study people who have been married long enough to evaluate their happiness for real, not just during the initial “honeymoon” period. Sheesh!

I have been married to someone who (at least he thought so) was more attractive than myself and he ended up being a player (very flirty) that lasted 7 years before he cheated. Now I am married for 10 years to someone who was a total geek (in high school) and has changed his looks-no glasses-better hairstyle and we couldn’t be happier. I’m not saying I’m better looking than him. I think it has alot to do with your attitude about yourself and not thinking your better looking than yourself.

Correction to the last line….

Your attitude about yourself, not thinking that your better looking than your spouse…..

Its true but people don’t want to admit it. I don’t know why? It’s just common sense really

It would be hilarious to find out this whole study was conducted by men. Bunch of guys standing around “Yup, looks like attractive women need to go after ugly men!”. It’s like a comedy skit. I can see some truth to the findings but in reality it depicts men as being pretty shallow. I’ve dated women less attractive than me. It’s when they “think” they aren’t attractive is when I lose interest. It’s mostly attitude and comfort with yourself that defines attraction. (for me) If you believe your worth it I will too. A self conscious cute girl is less attractive than a confident average girl any day.

I don’t believe this study. You have crummy beautiful people just as well as ugly ones. I think it depends on the people involved in the relationship – not looks – that determine the type of relationship that you have.

I am a female and I totally agree. I find that the man treats you better and is more likely to work harder at the marriage to keep you. He is proud that he has you and that others see how attractive his wife is, it boosts his ego. A less attractive guy is less self-centered and appreciates what you do for him and life can be really great if you show him how much you love him and never mention that he isn’t the usual tall dark and handsome man most women look for.
You can fall madly in love with any guy no matter his looks if he is genuine and loving. Somehow at that point looks don’t matter.

What a bunch of crock!!! My brother in law is ugly as sin and my sister is pretty and he cheated. He wan’t unhappy and there was no problems with their marriage, he said the opportunity was there and he took it.

Uuuuhhh, YEAH, that’s what I saying, does’nt anyone know this?
“If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life..”

The ex NY governor is uglier than his wife. Unfortunately, she didnot have the healthier marriage

Interesting study, but I have to wonder what these researchers would consider to be ‘attractive.’
What were their standards? Height? Weight? Shape of nose? I mean, really!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, often subjective. And many times, attractiveness comes across through helpfulness, consideration of others, caring, compassion, a gracious attitude, etc. When a person behaves in such a way, others are more likely to consider that person to be ‘beautiful,’ even though they may (or may not) be considered physically attractive. Were those things even considered in this study? Probably not.

I really believe this is true. Not that I believe my hubby to be ugly in any way! But, I guess the onlooker would not consider him to be traditionally handsome… he is short, balding, and has a bit of a tummy. I think he is beautiful on the inside and out. I have been told we are unevenly matched, that I’m a knockout… etc. And he’s an absolute tiger in bed. I would not trade him for the hansomest man in the world.

Ugly man seeks beautiful wife… call me at 555-GET-REAL!

That is very interseting but i say you still don’t have enough evidence to make that up. First off people are walking erorrs. People make lots of mistakes. So i though this was funny but interseting as well. This is something new to me.

On a scale of 1 to 10 this news article sucked! First of all, no definition of what is the Best Marriage and no mention of the performers of the study by name or organization. Second of all, have to to sign up just to see the study details which are lacking. And thirdly, the female bias in this study and conclusion is over the top. Oh, yeah, 82 couples that have been married within the last six months! Who did this study, Nickelodean?

I have it made then. Where do I sign up??

What a crock!!!!! I was married to a man who wasn’t much in the looks department and I had a miserable marriage. I am now married to a man who is extremely good looking and we have a wonderful marriage.

Too many variables here to make a decision. What are they considering attractive?

I’m in my 40’s and I’m just now realizing that I’m attractive. I struggle with my weight, but the older I get, the more compliments I seem to get from men. I think it’s a self-confidence thing. Once I got to the age where I knew no one expects me to have the body of a 15 yr old, I quit beating myself up about it and I can enjoy who I am. My husband treats me like a princess and always has… my point is he has always said that I was the beautiful one in our marriage, whether I believed it, or whether society told me it wasn’t so.

Men are choosier are about womens physical appearance??? ALERT THE MEDIA!! SHOCKING!!

this study has helped me to conclude that i have a CHANCE!!!

Noooo? Nooooo way?

I’m no psychologist, just a gritty word huffer, but was a study actually needed to determine that?

You spent money on this?

Very stupid study.

(1) One interpretation: that men with “more attractive” wives are less likely to stray, more attentive, blah blah.

(2) Alternative explanation: women with attractive husbands constantly worry about other women being attracted to him, that he might cheat, blah, blah, resulting in her being b**chy, insecure, blah blah, and basically no fun to live with.

Anyone who hasn’t seen cases of #2 in relationships hasn’t been out and about much. If you think a man can be insecure about an attractive wife/girlfriend, OMG, have you ever seen the other? My explanation, based on personal observation, for the results of this stupid “study” is that fewer “good looking guy, less attractive girl” relationships reach the marriage stage, because the woman generally succeeds in driving the man away before then with insecure, b***chy behaviors.

Of course, either of these explanations works equally well for either sex, with either sex being more or less attractive. In short: A “study” that produced nothing useful.

But isn’t attraction subjective. If I am attracted to a woman who’s appearance may not be as appreciated by the next guy then who’s to say.

Yep, that is why I married up. I have been with my super hot wife for 17 years and have done a great job of helping her reproduce. I have game but limited looks, of course she claims I look good but I know she is way hot and I am just ok. 17 years, you see?

So,

There is hope for me yet

Tom

Hey Laurie: Ever consider “WHY” he turned into a porn-addicted drunk? It’s interesting that women Never consider that THEIR actions or “lack of them” turn their men away from them. Was it that pesky hormone depletion “wake up one morning to find “your desires gone”, than demanded “your man drop all his desires” too syndrome? That’ll do it every time, leaving the female with that “I don’t understand blank expression on her face”.

FALSE. It is how much you get along and how honest your are towards each other.

I disagree with this. I’ve known way too many goodlooking women who married average Joes only to have said Joe cheat on her with an uglier woman. This “study” doesn’t hold water.

Whatever…I’m in my early 50s, not bald (not receeding either), not gray, still athletic (I could still stand to lose 20 lbs), have an engineering degree and have travelled the world. I found that I was attracted to a woman 3 years my senior,but she opted to marry a man 25 years her senior, because he was worth so much, much, much more than I, even after she said that she found me quite attractive and mentally stimulating. This is not the only time I’ve been snubbed for not having enough worth.

Men, if you want to be attractive to a woman, regardless of her physical appearance, you need lotsa $$$. I’ve found that out the hard way, and it doesn’t appear as if that will change any time this millenium. As a result, I am jaded, bitter…whatever you want to call it…and unequivocally understand that without sufficient monetary value, a man ain’t squat to a woman.

I’ve since decided to have a zero-dimension personality; maybe 1-dimensional on a good day. If I’m going to be unattractive to the (un)fair sex, then it will be because of something I’ve choosen to do…

Later.

How does 82 couples constitute an accurate portrayal of what works in marriage?

Sexist media article. Men desire younger women, women want older men. Say What??? Last time I checked men’s …ability to do the deed…ends earlier in life then women…their peak is in their 20’s, women’s go on for a long time…no Viagra needed. This week…we are telling women to marry ugly men because their marriage will last because of 80 couples. OK, add me to the list of this being bull. I married a guy less attractive and I left and divored and married again…what bullcrap.

As the song goes “If you want to e happy for the rest of your life you to marry yourself an ugly wife” so who is right? Kindest Regards

I’ve always been condsidered attractive with great personality. My husband of 30 years married a 34 year old 3 months after our divorce. Our religious beliefs didn’t save our marriage, and I think age had a big factor in it. Interesting.

Man! There must be tons of good marriages around here. Talk about some ugly people!!!!!!

Amazingly stupid idea.

I left my ex that’s ugler and got a better looking guy and the relationship is better so this is bull. Then my ex married a woman that’s uglier then he is and they are happy. Two cases against your study…of 80 couples. Sexist…

As the song goes” if you want to be happy for the rest of your life you have to marry yourself an ugly wife.” so who is right? Kindest Regards Zig

Certainly was not the case with Drew and Stacy Peterson. He’s BUTT ugly and thier marriage didn’t work out!

Wow so that’s why my wife married me!

Not surprising. I love my husband because he’s smart and funny. I ask him why he loves me and he says he loves me because I’m so pretty! I think men are more driven by looks than women are, but there are exceptions to every rule.

If you actually think about what was written you will find they are probably true. Men who are better looking than they’re spouses often feel they have been trapped when they do marry. And why focus on newlyweds? Its kinda hard to make it 50 years (especially in this age) when you don’t make it 6 months. Not to mention within 6 months the glow and polish starts to wear off considering most people don’t wait long enough for that to happen before getting married. Don’t forget there are always exceptions and just because you are one doesn’t mean the information doesn’t apply to the rest. In closing looks may not be everything but are you going to look at a lime green car if you hate lime green? It doesn’t matter that the car is the most solid vehicle on earth and will last longer than you. If its lime green most people that hate lime green won’t even give it a second look. I looked for a lot more in a woman than just appearance but that was certainly the first qualifier.

No doubt this “DUH” study represents more wasted tax money. This will really help all human-kind when we take a long hard look at our wedding photos and realize WOW based on looks I married the wrong person. Time to shop around for a quick fix nevermind the kids.

Both are happy as long as the guy never finds out that the “better looking” wife is cheating on him with some studly looking guy. Women cheat just as much, if not more than men… they are just better at lying about it.

A sample size of 82, married for 6 months? This is one of the most worthless articles I’ve read today.

Truth to this? My wife is much more attractive than I. I had trouble while dating and she says she had no trouble. But I got lucky one day when I asked her out. We didn’t have to much in common either. But we have been very happily married since 1988 and have 4 wonderful children.

the real key is that both partners in the marriage continuously feel that they overachieved in the marriage department. Not just concerning looks but also niceness, love, personality, motivation desire to grow and change, etc.

Happily married 33 years to my beautiful wife. (And I’m not bad either)

This explains why my wife and I have had so many problems over the years…..

What a STUPID study!!!!!! The 82 happy couples had been married within the previous 6 months and that is supposed to give us an understanding of how to achieve a happy marriage????? Whoever did this study is a complete IDIOT!!!!!! Show me a couples to which the premise of the study applies, but who have been happily married over 35 years, and then, and only then, will I even begin to believe it. Yuck! Fire the author of the study.

I tend to think there is some validity to the study. I’m considered a very attractive and fit man and I have a very difficult time dating because women tend to think of me as a “player” because of my looks. I’ve had more than one woman get mad at me because other women were checking me out. I’ve begun to realize that being a very attractive man seems to work against me rather than for me as every little move I make and every word that comes out of my mouth is judged for cockiness. I am not seen as harmless and safe like less attractive men and women have a tendancy to keep their distance and never get the chance to know that I’m just a normal guy. My friends all know this so they can’t understand women’s reactions to me sometimes. Hey ladies, you don’t always want to be judged by looks alone, so maybe you shouldn’t judge men too negatively just because they are attractive and take care of themselves.

I agree with this actually. Now I’m only 23 and I’m an above average looking guy, but I dated a girl because I enjoyed her personality and she was okay looking, but her insecurities constantly got in the way of everything so I broke it off. If a woman is better looking and gets taken care of, then that’s how it’ll work. The guy gets the prize and will work hard to keep that prize while the woman feels like the prize. She doesn’t have to worry about him chasing other women. Makes sense.

Cool! People always joke about how I’m better looking then my hubby. He will definitely agree with this article.

I don’t see it though, I think he’s the most handsome guy I know.

I think there is validity to the findings. I think that being a very attractive man causes one to be examined under a microscope by women. They are constantly looking for hints of cockiness in things you say or do rather than treating you like a normal guy. Less attractive men get away with comments and observations that are viewed as funny, but when said by an attractive man they are viewed as arrogance or cockiness. My friends know that I’m just a normal guy, but women are always looking for me to be a “player.”

What kind of worthless study is this? A study involving only 82 couples is statistically insignificant. What ever happened to actually performing scientifically meaningful studies? But I guess the idea is to run instantly to issue a press release. Why not just look at 10 couples? It would still be just as meaningful. The worthless crap that is done today in the name of science. I suppose poor Isaac Newton is rolling around in his grave.

HA HA, well, at least that was one thing I did right!! Just kidding, these studies crack me up, marriage is about commitment, faithfulness and agape love, not looks.

Who’s to judge beauty and ugliness? Women will use any tool to gain leverage over a wimp man. Just remember that money always trumps looks. It’ all about control and domination.

So it looks like all the time that guys were taking crap for looking for pretty wives they were right all along.

This isn’t so far fetched…….why else would we still have fairy tales like Beauty and the Beast…would the story have worked if the beast was the woman…or Pretty Woman..would Richard Gere have fallen in love with the “not so Pretty Woman”????……I think NOT!!!!Woman have always been more apt to fall in love with…and remain faithful to the “plain man”. Our children grow up with this “belief”..why else do we have 18 year old girls in America asking their parents for plastic surgery as a graduation present????? ..how many boys do that?????

This makes logical sense: Why do men stare so much at women they consider beautiful? Because their brains are more attuned to surface beauty than those of women, i.e, we women are attracted to beauty, too, but not to the exclusion of everything else. If women were obsessed with the physical aspects of men and sex as men are, nothing would ever get done! Men are desperate to look at beauty and youth as a reflection of themselves, albeit a false one.

I’m sick of hearing women criticize men for going after looks. Women are exactly the same way, except for the ones who are gold diggers. Do you women expect me to believe that if an ugly, short guy asked you out, you would accept? Only if he was rich. How many of you women are married to ugly men?

That is why my wife and I are still silly in love newlyweds after 38 years!

Once again, we see where men are only concerned about the superficial…. All show with no substance……….

OMG- now isn’t that just sad.

I think they are right, my wife is beautiful, and I am average in looks, and we are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy together, there are no hang-ups!

Get what you may out of this…
After reading this I had to look back at my pattern-My experience:I am in my mid thirties and have been married for 5 years(2nd time). As a woman I have always been insecure about my looks no matter what people have told me.Looking back to the men I have dated excluding my current husband 9/13 modeled at one point and considered very attractive but I also remember that no matter how good looking they were each had their own insecurities about themselves just as the rest of the guys did,4 of them would have married me. No matter how many models I dated till this days I have insecurities. Even today when someone compliments my husband and tells him ‘your wife is hot’ I can’t believe that they mean it.
My first husband modeled and was completly devoted to me, I actually got an ego boost when girls would try to get his attention because it made me feel good, he never once thought about another woman-unfortunatly he passed away.
The next guy I fell for modeled part time and was very smart and also a player-he claimed to have loved me and would have ’setteled down with me’ but I just couldn’t trust him,I felt insecure next to him,although he never cheated on me-it was his personality.I let him go-he still has pain over it but has been with so many girls by now that he has lost track, he is married now and when I last saw him he tried to get with me behind his wife’s back-I guess I was right.
My current husband never modeled, but when I fell for him I saw nothing wrong with him in the looks department- he was avarage-not a god but not ugly.I fell the hardest with him-and still am. Because of his own insecurities he was the one that cheated on me while we were dating and gave me the most heartache,and now he says that before dating me he was insecure but he thought that I was so much prettier than him and if he could have me than he was going to get it all. Strange how that worked, basically it was the less attractive man that hurt me the most.
We are happy now and he has worked through his insecurities and now worships the ground I walk on- I am very happy, and he is happy and YES PROUD to have me as his wife. He does shows me off like a trophy.
The other day my someone saw a photo of us in my friends house and they made such an ugly comment that it hurt really bad-they asked my friend “why is she with him? she’s so pretty compared to him”.
I think only a very insecure man would deliberatly marry an unattractive woman as a security measure for her staying with him. There are way more attractive women who are not cheaters and are devoted wives than there are attractive men who don’t take an opportunity to get it on the side.
so I blame the woman less if she has these reservations while choosing her partner.

I am curious how anyone benefits from these studies. Would a male truly desire for someone less attractive than themselves?
If women were ok with who they are, and how they represent themselves, why does it take so much hair and makeup work? Don t say it is because of men. It is because you want to be noticed, by any man that will look.
Next time you get all dressed up, ask yourself why you are doing it.

“If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life… never make a pretty woman your wife… so from my personal point of view… get an ugly girl to marry you!”

Haha – which is true then?

Relax folks … in order to take this study seriously one would have to examine the exact qualifications of what made a woman more attractive than her man and vice versa… what characteristics were used to make these determinations in this study? That answer alone would provide enough doubt to prove it’s not a concrete theory anyway!

I guess I got lucky, with both of us being good looking. I have a beautiful wife, and I don’t think I am to bad myself. Love is not about looks, we call that lust! You should marry the person who you are going to live, love, and laugh with, because we all change our looks as we age. I think the media has the whole who is beautiful out of wack.

I find this NOT to be true. When my husband and I married 15 years ago, he was better looking. Now he’s fat, gray and bald. I, on the other hand, have taken good care of myself by exercise, eating right etc and think I look better now than when I was 25. I find he has become very possessive and jealous. I think he has become much more insecure.

Inner beauty is the key to a lasting relationship, but not above having Jesus in your life,But men are attracted to pretty women are else they would’nt look. I have been in 3 other relationships with great looking women. that didn’t last. The one I’m with now is not as pretty on outside as she is on the inside. It’s working well and were getting married.

You have got to be joking! This is a joke, right? 82 Couples married within the last SIX MONTHS!?!?! They are still at the “play house” stage – how can you call that a successful marriage. If you had polled a few hundres couples or at least couples that had been married for years, the story would have some credibility. This story doesn’t deserve the space it was written in. In our office we are still rolling on the floor laughing that anyone would even print such a stupid story.

Dumb, dumb, dumb …how about spending some time and money on a social area of concern that acutally matters. This is a ridiculous waste of time and money and I feel embarrased that, as a society, we would even acknowledge this as legitimate.

Anyone who thinks their mate is a prize is a complete egotistical moron. After reading all these replys, it’s no wonder why the divorce rate is so high.

Dumb, dumb, dumb… what a waste of time and money. Who would ever financially support a study like this is an idiot. And, whoever believes it is a bigger idiot.

This is the DUMBEST ARTICLE EVER WRITTEN IN ALL CIVILIZATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, as evidenced by the facts below:

1) 84 couples married 6 months or less is not a true statistical representation of all couples married. Most couples do not get a divorce within the first 6 months since the newness of the marriage and the sex drive is still high and 84 couples is not nearly enough to show true representation of the many millions of couples out there. Thus, this idiotic “study” is not scientific, but sensationalistic in nature.
2) Decision on who is “uglier than who” in the marriage is purely subjective.

Someone tell me my tax dollars were not used to fund the imbecilic morons who conducted this study.

YEAH,NICE TRY PEOPLE. HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BELIEVE IN THE VALIDITY OF THIS STUDY WITH SUCH A MINUTE SAMPLE SIZE??…82 COUPLES? CMON…ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF GRANT MONEY WELL SPENT.

Foolish, lame, stupid, idiotic, crap under the pretense of a ‘Study’…..First of all, someone can start out goodlooking and oh boy can looks change over the years, and the guy or gal that started out being the fox (or the ‘hound’) can evolve into a better (or worse) version of themselves. So you may marry a fox at 25 but by 45 you may have a hound on your hands (happy yet?)

Secondly, this hypothesis would seem to be equating extreme good looks with a high level of confidence, (and happiness), and while to some extent there is a relationship….it’s not the only factor. Ever heard of a good looking girl who was extremely insecure???? or guy for that matter…. unless, hmmm….is it possible there is no such thing a good looking person with insecurities?

I agree with the findings. I was married 20 years to a man who was most handsome. I myself am attractive as well. My first husband was not so kind, stingy on the compliments (if any) and always making remarks about my weight (I was Always under 145 at 5′6″. I hung out at 135 for the most part-less at times. Even at 125, I wasn’t “good enough” it seemed) I was not to wear make up (I did…nothing ever harsh or brass). I work in the public arena, and he did Not like any attention another man may show towards me. He was jealous, and there never was a reason to be. Except-for him. I later learned he wandered.

Today, I am delightfully married to a kind, fun and loving man (7 years now). He is “plain” and I delight in him! He….he tells me I am “beautiful” almost daily. lol, and this is in middle age! I know I am not what I was, now in my 50’s. He treasures me….something I Never experienced before.

Take it for what it is worth. I am Most Blessed!

That would explain my success, although it still took hard work.

Oh science…where have you gone? What sort of marrital perspective can 164 newlyweds give? They hadn’t been married longer than 6 months? Are you kidding me? This is so so so sorry. I sincerely hope it occured to the “scientists” conducting this “study” that there might be other issues underlying the successes/failures of these fledgling couples…for instance the time of their respective betrothal periods. Was there any control group? No, psychological studies such as this are notorious for leaving out that all-important piece of general scientific inquiry. This article and study should do nothing but make people laugh.

I feel if you have a pretty wife, you do prize her and take care of her and you are proud of her and how other men are envious of you for having such a gorgeous wife. It makes me want to keep myself fit and trim and loving and kind. Fortunatley for me, she (wife) is both awesome in looks and heart and character

Sounds like JUNK science to me….to small a sample….to short a time. Whoever funded this study should ask for their money back!

I must be pretty ugly. My wife and I have been married for 20 years and we are still in love with each other.

Who determines that the wife is better looking?

…..this obviously didn’t work for Bill Clinton.

Jennifer Aniston, Where are you? I am available. Given the study…we should grow old together!

this isn’t new and it works both ways. Doesn’t anyone remember the song, “Get an Ugly Girl to Marry You” by the Coasters? http://70.85.26.55/richMedia/303972.mp3

You people with the comments using the terms, “absolutly, always, never, because I or We are idiots. First of all this is small sample that just shows a pattern or tendency for this to be valid.

Get over the terms always, never, perfect and get over the narcisism of yourselves. Just cause you and your marriage are one way does not a correlation make.

1st-Please tell me no tax dollars were spent on this study. 2nd- Please tell me no college wasted time or money on this. 3rd- Fox is getting hard up for a news story with this garbage. And finally, I agree with the person who adviced to take a real study and find out why couples are married for 40+ years instead of 6 months. What kind of nonsense is this! Love is sacrifice and sharing. Work on your marriage, Stay faithful, laugh, and in time, you might just fall in love. Real love takes time. Also, my opinion on why marriages don’t work. Selfishness. Either one of both. but it all goes back to self. No marriage will ever last with that attitude. At least not a good one!

I guess this is why my first marriage didn’t last.

In all seriousness, I think maybe the bad marriages had trouble because the couple over emphasized looks and didn’t focus enough on what’s inside.

…….Study conducted by the AMPSL (Association of Male Psychologists with Substandard Looks)

This story is true! I am ugly as sin and my wife is a hotty. She knows I won’t stray and I know I am a lucky man… what more can you ask for?

Hello?

The study says women seek men who will help them reproduce, and men seek women who will pass on their genes?

Sounds like the same thing to me. What a waste of research funding, folks.

what if you’re both gook looking?

As the song goes ” If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife”

I’m ugly & single…

What happens if two ugly men get married? They move to the hills of Vermont.

The key to a relationship is working from the inside out not outside in. We all should love people for who they are not how we would have them be.

In my opinion, the looks come from the inside anyway. If a man treats me good, he gets better looking as time goes by.

Can I just say “Duh”!!! Us average guys relish in the fact that we have “hot” wives. We’ll do a lot to keep them and to keep them happy. It’s not hard work to tell my wife she is gorgeous when she wakes up in the morning, because she is!! We average folk, tend to be more appreciative of what we have….at least I am anyway. It doesn’t mean that I am a pushover though, but we both love each other. Love is slightly easier with someone who is physically attractive as well as intellectually stimulating! It’s still hard, but a little easier.

Tell this to BARBRA STREISAND (no offense, but I’ve never found her cute). And there are thousands more.

I know a couple in which the husband is gorgeous and they’ve been married for over 8 years. Good looking, arrogant men are probably behind this thing to use at as another excuse for premarital sex as being cool.

IMO, I think the study is flawed. If the study was for X amount of years and with the same couples overtime I would have “likely” believed it.

How ubsurd. Yes I have a hot wife, no I am not ugly. I did not marry her for her “youth, health and physical attractiveness” Nor did she marry for my ability to help her reproduce. Sounds like they found 82 extremely shallow couples to conduct this study.

The reality is that a woman who is confident, not arrogant, makes for a happier marriage. If she feels her man is lucky to have her she is less likely to stress over who he is friends with, where he is when he is not with her, why he doesn’t tell her she’s beautiful all the time etc…in essence all the little nagging things that can build up and destroy a relationship may not be an issue when a woman can just concentrate on being happy and in love. If you’re not worried someone ‘better’ will come along, be it physically or mentally, and swipe your husband out from under you, you can relax and this tends to b e the case when you are very attractive and your husband is average or less.

My first husband was a good looking jock who cheated on me with women, my second husband turned out to be a gentle, but good-looking man who cheated on me with other men. Take my advice and marry an ugly man.

Sure about this,

A Tampa, Florida mother of 5.

You have got to be kidding. I can’t believe they waste money on this. Who the hell cares what a person looks like, and if anyone cares, do we care what such a shallow person thinks. Was it Shallow Hal that cared, or perhaps a book by its cover. My husband and I are married 38 years, and we are both striking people. Anyone who wonders how a beautiful person got someone less beautiful should take a lesson what it is about the less beautiful person has inside that the smart beautiful person saw. We are putting to much emphasis on beauty. Please emphasize in your report what is important in life is not beauty, but morals, and kindness, and honesty, and committment, ETC ETC ETC

Ugly or not, if the husband is a narcissist the marriage will fail if the wife refuses to blend her personality into his. After my experience, I will do a background check on a man’s history of selfishness before I try my hand at marriage again.

I’m calling BS on this one. I almost married a smokin hot Italian girl. Pretty women tend to get a lot of looks and offers, and in my case, the temptation was too much for her. Did a little detective work and caught her cheating. People are either faithful or not, no matter what they look like.

OOOOHHHHH YayayYYYaahhhh,

Hey,
The study might be 70 percent true. I think the gene does affect in this case, because i have seen different actions and reactions to my married friends.
some women are affected by violence in their mariage, because they are deeply atracted by the beauty of their husband. so whatever those type of men do to them, they never gotten off that relationship. but beautful woman and an ugly guy like me; does work perfectly , because most of the ugly men are peaceful guys. and were there are peace, ther is love.
now for the cute boy normal woman,it is little bit hard , because alot of woman envy good looking guys.
so, i agree with the researcher
so, happy ugly man

Oh! So that explains why my wife and I are so happy LOL!

A good looking man’s ability to keep his ego in check is challenged far greater than that of the more ordinary looking guy. I would suspect that marriage failure rates increase and are directly related to the rate at which married man is approached by attractive women.

what a bunch of b.s. !!! what a waste of time.

i don’t believe it…talk with most men and they’ll tell you it’s more likely the opposite. the more beautiful a women is outwardly the more she expects. i married a total narcassist…beautiful eyes, beautiful body…lasted 5.5 years! as soon as she got what she wanted it was over…i married a truely beautiful women outwardly. very ugly in many other ways.

I believe that this is generally very true.

Most women just want a man who can provide. And we all know what men like. Men are simple creatures really.

And to people who say that all pretty women are bit**ches. Well , I’ve known a lot of really ugly bit**ches.

I believe that this is generally very true.

Most women just want a man who can provide. And we all know what men like. Men are simple creatures really.

And to people who say that all pretty women are bitc*es. Well , I’ve known a lot of really ugly bitc*es.

I TOTALLY think this is true! My husband and I have been married for almost 20 years and from the day we met, his friends (both then and now) have always thought I was better looking than him. I’ve dated the good-looking guys, the hunks, the players, the popular guys, the studs … call ‘em whatever you want. A couple of them were nice guys but they were all selfish.

Even my husband would tell you that I make HIM look good. He’s faithful but more importantly, he’s a wonderful, wonderful man and I wouldn’t trade him for all the “studs” in the world!!!!!

This is a heap of garbage. Controlled experiments like this one are rarely found to be found valid… especially when human emotion is involved in the process. During my time as a psych student, I realized that what was supposed to be the study of the human mind turned out to be a mixture of shallow theories and studies involving lab rats.

What if you’re both good looking & still are after 25 years together. BTW–We still have mad love for eachother–It’s still hot in the bedroom too!!

I’m no Doctor, but I know that if an ugly guy marries a beautiful lady, he’s going to work his butt off to keep his “trophy wife” happy and in love with him. She’s happy and he’s tired but happy to have this wonderful woman.

Realizing that a good-looking man is normally going to be hit-on and tempted more often than a “ugly” guy. I also believing that men are more prone to be unfaithful than their spouses. So if the “pretty boy” is always being solicited he will normally break sooner or later and end up leaving his spouse for the temper.

I often wonder what kept my wife so happy for all these 49 years – now I know, ha.

I have to agree. For most (not ALL) Blacks, its also darker-skinned want lighter-skinned, which makes for (again, NOT ALL) brown babies. My relationships have always been slightly unattractive, darker than me. I don’t aim for that, it just happens. It may be something in our childhood about seeking out fathers…I don’t know. I love a dark-skinned brother, with full lips, smooth skin and height. The darker the more attractive to me.

SO contrary to the mantra inspired by Jimmy Soul’s “If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife… get an ugly girl to marry you!” My heart goes out to all the Supermodel’s(can you say high maintenance!) BUT My wife is/was absolutely gorgeous, talented, inspiring, the complete package BUT full of demands! Yes I married UP! – NOW, looks are fleeting, she won’t cook and hates housework – 27yrs and counting! Like Meat Loaf “Now, I’m praying for the end of time . .” – Tounge firmly planted in cheek! The study is POPPY-Cock! Get right with God FIRST the rest falls in place!

Men are pigs, choosing women just because of their looks and what their off-spring would be. But then again I would marry a man who is fatter than me so I look skinny all the time! haha

It’s a shame where attractiveness is seen as a major factor in marriage. Commitment and love is the key to a successful marriage. Also I wondered, since when can you base judgment on couples who have only been married for six months.

Hey I’m a normal red blooded guy. Been married 29 1/2 years to the same woman. Do you think I’d be happily married if she looked like me or worse than me (HA!!). No way would I want to wake up looking as someone who looked like that (lol).

I’m actually surprised someone spent money on a study like this. It really doesn’t take much to figure it out.

Take care,

Wow. What a bunch of Horse Feathers! My husband and I have been married for 15 years. Neither one of us looks like we did when we first got married. My husband was in and out of work for at least a 1/3 of our marriage. Looks and wealth change. What really matters most in marriage is not material things and the outward appearance, but the mutual love, respect and commitment made.

The reason why there are so many divorces in this country is because people have forgotten what marriage is supposed to be about. They walk away from each other over silly, stupid things. What happen to the vows you made, most people made them in a church in front of GOD. Marriage is not always about how you feel. There are times that I do not like my husband, but I have made the choice to always love him and respect him. I know for a fact that there are times that my husband probably does not like me either, but I know that he loves me and he has always given me the security and comfort that no matter what he will be there. Marriage is a covenant (contract) between a man, woman and GOD and should never been entered lightly. Divorce should never be the easy option and should be used only when there is no other way to solve the problems in the marriage. Not because your wife or husband gained 50 lbs.

Sadly, it’s not just nonchristians that have a high divorce rate. In the Christian churches marriages end in divorce at the same rate as secular marriages.

Women I exhort you to SUBMIT to your husbands just as CHRIST submitted to the will of the FATHER, and husbands love your wife’s, just as CHRIST loved the church and layed down his life as a HOLY SACRIFICE.

Really what it boils down to is men want a woman who respects them and women what to be loved.

First, I don’t know why so much money is spent on this type of study, because common sense and life experience show us that this is true. Women tend to be more interested in nesting and nurturing, so looks are not as important as security. Also, in my experiences, when attractive men and attractive women pair up, there is a continuous power struggle. Egos and jealousy become the core of the relationship, and infidelity is most probable…There is lack of trust. When you pair less attractive men with less attractive women, each person in the relationship doesn’t care so much about looks, they look to the inside and feed off of each others inner qualities, and can make each other happy, there is usually no focus on infidelity or jealousy. And then there’s the rare combination of an attractive man with a less attractive woman. I think this is the least recognized pairing, because of male traits that compel them to seek out and conquer, but, I think the woman in this relationship is the one that may worry about her husband straying, which could lead to her unhappiness.

it is true

i am in middle age crisis trying to have affairs and flirting

the women i seem to be able to pick up are fat and ugly

my wife is thin and pretty

it keeps me home

women only cheat when they find out or when ignored

men cheat when the opportunity comes

and it does come, but with ugly women why bother

Trust me…….. Ugly men try harder !

If I were a betting man which I am not, I would put the odds at 8 out of 10 of the good looking women are married to the ugly man because he has enough money to support her. The ugly guys with money still get the girls in todays society.

Just my opinion.

Whenever you use discredited terms and phrases like ‘in evolutionary terms’, you study’s value just went to zero!

If the guy lives in California, it comes down to money. The ugly guy still get the pretty girl if he has money. However, love comes in all shapes and sizes. Sounds like a silly study.

my wife is way hotter than i am, and she is “head over heels” in love with me. its kind of cool being the “ulgy dude” with the smoking hot wife. people just stare, and i laugh….all the way to the bedroom.

I truly believe in this.

To all the “Ugly” men who haven’t found HOPE in this SOUND scientific research – See link to Fox story on “Man receives Full-Face Transplant” – there is still hope for YOU!

For those of you who married YOUNG ATTRACTIVE women many POUNDS ago, REMEMBER she may be fat but your ugly and she can diet!

The problem is women’s standards are so high that they always end up with someone uglier than themselves. Most (Young) women are immature gold diggers who have had sex with 12-15 different men by the time they turn 25. It’s not MTV’s fault, Cosmo’s Fault- Its your parents who did not have the guts when you were growing up to tell you NO and when something was right and wrong. It’s easy to find a decent partner when you are a man. Find a women who is a single mom and has already been dumped on and she will treat you like a king because now she finally understands what a “Good” man is…

I have been saying that for years. When asked why i never fall for “that gorgeous guy” at work, I always say, ” I have to be the pretty one in the relationship.”

Can we stop throwing money down the drain on ridiculous studies like this, and focus our money on the things that really matter?

The relevant factors in this story go well beyond external beauty. Everybody wants to be loved and treated by their spouse as though they are the most important person in the world (their children excepted).

Beautiful people have the choice to be beautiful inside and out. All others have to exude beauty from their heart. This manifests itself in kindness, caring, empathy, respect, restraint, loyalty, friendliness, honesty, charm, and a host of other desirable traits.

We also know that men are egocentric whereas women are security-centric. Most women will be happy in a relationship if her spouse offers two things – security and loyalty. Unfortunately, men live off their egos and feed that ego at the expense of loyalty. An ugly man would probably succumb to the same temptations as the beautiful man – but he will never get that opportunity.

Women that sacrifice fidelity typically do so because they need to feel important, loved and respected. This is not to say that women don’t have egos – they do. Most, however, can be well satisfied with a few heart-felt compliments, an adoring look and those ‘three little words’.

A successful relationship, which goes well beyond the constraints of marriage, really boils down to one simple question: Are you both willing to pur the others needs before your own and their desires above yours?

you are right, look at Beyonce and Janet Jackson

I think it amusing to see how many women agree that when a woman is more attractive than her husband the marriage is happy. I’d like to see all these women rated on the “attractiveness scale” by 100 randomly-picked men. And their husbands rated by randomly-picked women.

While men have had the media tell them what’s attractive in a woman, women, on the other hand, have had people telling them all their lives that THEY are attractive!

How did these women determine that they are more attractive than their husbands, I wonder?

Rocky

Heck! I had always thought it was respect, loyalty, communication, knowing when to shut up and when to say “yes, dear!” for over 40 years BUT you might be right.

Dear Bella,

Just reverse the gender of the nouns and pronouns in your comment and it’s equally true:

To wit:

WOMEN that are less attractive have found MEN that they feel are a prize and thus treat them so.
MEN that are treated as treasures are more likely to be happy and content.

A WOMAN with an attractive HUSBAND will be less likely to stray, especially if SHE deems HIM attractive.

So much for science!

trust me – ugly men try harder…….

Typical. Attractive women have all the options, and unattractive women may as well not exist.

“I married a very plain guy, and he STILL turned into a porn-addicted drunk”

So what was the problem?

So much for this theory, look at Elliott Spitzer! Christy Brinkley, Princess Diana…………..

“Why do men stare so much at women they consider beautiful? Because their brains are more attuned to surface beauty than those of women, i.e, we women are attracted to beauty, too, but not to the exclusion of everything else. Men are desperate to look at beauty and youth as a reflection of themselves, albeit a false one.”

Why does it have to be an all/nothing either/or situation? THAT’ S shallow thinking! Sure, a beautiful woman gets the initial interest, but a guy won’t just stick with an unpleasant woman for long just on account of looks- they’re looking for brains and personality, too. But it’s alittle harder to tell someone’s personality or intelligence from across the room, eh?

This is definitely the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Whoever wrote this was on some kind of narcotic. And to think people actually get paid for doing these studies.

This is NOT true. I married a man who was not good looking and he left me for another woman. It doesn’t work, ladies and gentlemen!!!!

“Attractive women have all the options, and unattractive women may as well not exist.”

Hey you said it not me…

Score one for the ugly dudes. Get yourself a hottie and be content gentlemen. Let the “pretty boys” marry the dogs.

Oh, please!! I have 5 short points to make!

Number 1: Who wants to wake up to an ugly man every morning and claim we’re happier? Not me.
Number 2: What makes a woman think she is better looking than her man? Beauty is relative. Better be sure about that by asking everybody you know first. You might think you’re all that, but somebody is sure to be looking at your man with interest. “Ugly” men cheat too.
Number 3: This is a stupid thing to tell women. You are starting a bad precedence for women who are already madly confused about how to find a good man.
Number 4: This is another dumb piece of research which has absolutely no bearing in reality, nor does it help to solve the myriad marriage problems that are REALLY out there.
Number 5: My husband and I are both equally attractive. Who is most happy here, hm??? I’ll tell you that I enjoy watching him walk around the house, and vice versa, lol!

Spend my tax dollars on more important research!!

Caroline,
Indiana

That explains the starnge choice made by Heidi Klum.

I agree. Women lie to themselves when they act as if good looks don’t go a long way. I believe you have to look good for a man to be attracted. Many women try to act large and in charge only to find a poor schmuck who’ll put up with their BS. A man wants to be able to wake up each day and look at his wife and know why he married her. Having a brain is a plus. But, if you look like Oprah it’s not worth the trouble. We don’t want to hear you rant on how smart and independent you are. Nobody cares! It’s your personality AND GOOD LOOKS that matter. Stop calling this lame as many men are attracted to you by what they see outside when they first meet you. Why would anyone deceive themselves to believe that we look for inner beauty before good looks? We don’t know you when we first meet. So grow up and accept the truth! Also, many women call men lame, but studies show that they are similar in picking their mates. It’s total hypocrisy when women claim that they look for inner beauty when research shows that they want good looks in their partners. The key is guys should aim high and look for women with low self-esteem. Let’s face it; we have to get aroused in the bedroom. A man cannot do that when a woman looks like a baby elephant!

It’s interesting to see that most of the negative comments are coming from Females who are probably FAT and UGLY. To say that men are threatened by good looking women (LOL!!!) is a bunch of crap (in response to a women who claimed that her male friends were the exact opposite because they were threatened by women with good looks)! We love good looks, but hate the over weight women who rant and whine! Get on a treadmill and improve your good looks!

How does that song go…

“If you want to be happy for the rest of your life- never make a pretty woman your wife…”

Oh, this is sad! But true. Years ago, there were many “normal” women all around me and in the movies. So what are you defining as a beautiful woman in this context?
But today, in this bosom conscious society we live in, all these women seem to be getting breast enhancements. And these idiot men get all excited and chase these phonies. Men are the vain ones. Men are the fickle ones.
Why not sit and talk and become acquainted but they are so sight oriented and become dickheads. I am 76 yrs. old and a good observer by now!
I never knew what that word meant until 10 yrs. ago, but it is appropriate. I would like to add I found an exceptional husband. And I had an ample bosom–in fact too large and had a reduction late in life. So “I’ve seen life from both sides now”!
I noticed how men looked at me prior to the reduction and the way they looked after. I used to hate the way they focused their eyes at chest level. I felt like a nonperson.
Do you remember the very popular song, “MAKE AN UGLY WOMAN YOUR WIFE, you’ll be happy the rest of your life….??

Tests involved 82 couples married less than 6 months.

How do they know if the marriage will pass the test of time after only 6 months? This study is worthless.

What can you tell from 6 months of marriage? I agree with the previous commenter, Jeanne. Maturity, common values and commitment are much more conducive to a strong marriage than physical appearance. This is after 12 happy years of marriage to my wonderful handsome husband! Just ask Steve Doocy about marraige; he is the expert!

Why are we still doing stupid studies like this one. With all of the debt in this country lets get rid of all these unnecessary research projects that the tax payers have to support.

oooh…82 couples married within the previous six months.

So it was comprehensive then.

I am a living example of this “survey”. I was the ugly one in the beginning, but the “lovely homecoming queen” and “college cheerleader” is now the ugly and “FAT” one after 20 years of marriage. So what about the “after 6 months surveys?” What do these say?

I asked my wife about it and she told me to agree with the study…

Are you kidding me?!? This study has no validity to it whatsoever! There are too many extraneous factors. Firstly, they only used 82 couples. Anyone who took statistics in college knows that this it too small of a sample size to be generalized to the population. Secondly, the report said that the couples had been married within the past six months. Please! These people are still on their honeymoons! Go back in few years after the beauty queen wife has put on some extra love handles and is getting fed up with the ugly duck for a husband who leaves his dirty socks lying on the floor. Thirdly, who was the assessor of looks? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Who judged whether the women were beautiful or if the men were ugly?

My theory is that a group of lazy, male chauvinist pigs concocted this idea to entice hot girls who are seeking a lasting relationship and to make themselves feel better about their beer belly and crooked teeth.

My question for long time has been answered just today…
I always wondered why pretty girls most of times date men less attractive from them and I came out by this question after seeing a lot of pretty girl friends dating ugly men and not dating me because I am an attractive guy

I think your only commenting on one thing. I think what also keeps women content are financial security. Example: your husband is willing to save for a rainy day and retirement, both are essential. Your wife will remain “prettier” if you do this, because they feel less stress you will see less stress in their face as time goes on.

It is true. I am as ugly as homemade sin. My beauty pagent wife and I have been happily married for 16 years.

Ugly men try harder……….

Let me get this straight. Marry an ugly guy, have ugly children, be the butt of your neighbors, friends and
family jokes…You’ll be happy?…I have better advise. Live your life the way, you want to.

You can’t judge a successful marriage on information gathered from newly weds – that’s a completely flawed study. You need to choose people that have been together for 50 years. That’s a successful marriage.

Six months doth not a marriage make.

How in the world can you rate a successfull marriage in 6 months. I’d like to see a follow up on the same 82 couples in 2 years. Where did this survey take place? I would like to think our society has more depth, when it comes to marriage, than just looks, please—–this is a life time commitment.

This is totally stereotypical, of course, but many women out there have low self esteem, and the media and such does not help it. Having a man who they are sure will NEVER do better than them tends to help them to relax. And if the guy thinks he is too ugly to find anyone better, it tends to make him think twice about leaving.

Attn: Ladies…

I know I’m ugly…but you’re s’posed to love me anyway. Besides, you don’t want a man that looks better than you anyway, right…???

That pretty boy you’ve been seeing, he ain’t no good for you. Take my advice and get yourself a man with a face like a bullfrog and a heart of gold. That’s the way to go, you’ll never be sorry.

And remember… that’s not a pot belly… that’s a fuel tank…for a sex machine…!!!

Got it…???

Lovin’ YOU, is what I do best…dear.

I’m not too sure about that… Im not trying to say my boyfriend/ common law husband is ugly but many would say so, and our relationship isn’t all that great because he doesn’t trust me. That is largely in part because he is less attractive and says that it would be much easier for me to pick up someone else when he cant… In this theory I would have to say that me being “more attractive” than him hurts our relationship.

Seriously…

I’d be a good idea for everybody to look past commercially motivated ideals and standards of so called “beauty” and see the natural relationship that exists between truth and beauty. ‘Nuther words… to hell with the fashion model and Hollywood celebrety type and it’s impact on our society in general.

That explains why my wife and I are so happy together after over 20 years of marriage, she thinks I’m better looking than her, and I think she’s better looking than me!

What ever happened to the lyrics of the song”if you want to be happy for the rest of your life,never make a pretty woman your wife”? “so for my personal point of view,find an ugly girl to marry you”.

It’s a pretty simple concept: women want to be adored. I adore my wife, and no pretty boy hunk is willing to adore anyone but himself. Together we make cute, brainy kids. Humans were designed this way to reduce inbreeding.

My sister-in law is very pretty and was married to an ugly guy who was lazy,
irreponsible and abusive. My parents both living ,have been married for 55 years.
I heard from many people that my father is more attractive than my mom and do you think I care?
Caring for somebody without thinking what you can get back is real love, add responsibility, and trust and that is the secret of healthy marriage.
I’ll be celebrating my 25th anniversarry in a month to a handsome guy that adores me. Our secret, I don’t know…. whatever comes along, just don’t give up easily….

Just how ugly does my husband have to be? Like if I’m a 7, will I be happier with a “5″ or can I stretch to a “6″ and still live happily ever after? This is the problem with these small studies; they need to be more comprehensive.

I disagree with the finding. I married a very attractive tall and lean man more than twenty years ago. I still love his handsome face to this day. I, on the other hand, am short and cute with a big personality. I adore him. That’s why we are still happy after twenty-three years. When the woman is happy in the relationship, she’ll find ways to make the relationship work.

This is so lame. It may be true that marriages with better looking wives than husbands are happier. That can easily be determined by observation and strict criteria by which to measure and categorize what has been observed.

To suggest, however, that this is a factor of genetic programming is not the least bit provable. It is mere speculation. As such, it should also be outside the realm of scientific pronunciamentos. To suggest otherwise, as is so routinely done by so-called “scientists.” clouds the culture with false data that does not lead to the resolution of problems. Wise and great is the man (or woman) who can stand up and simply say, “I really don’t know, I’ll get back to you when I’ve got some facts.”

WHO decides to do studies like these? The only benefit to this study would be if a middle school class did it for a class project for the purpose of understanding how REAL studies are done. This isn’t REAL science and it is a pathetic waste of time and money to publish it as so. Personally, I would toss this study in the trash. Being happily married for 6 months or less requires little to no effort for most people and I think how the wife looks in comparison to the husband has very little bearing on that. Also, I don’t think you can come to any certain conclusion and definitely not make that conclusion universally applicable to all married couples when only 82 persons total were the subjects of the study.

I would be more interested in a study done on people who have been married for 25 years or more and are currently happy in it. That’s going to tell you more about happiness in a marriage than a bunch of newly weds who probably haven’t had anything in their marriage upset their hopes and dreams yet.

BTW, I am HAPPILY married to a very attractive man (which HIS physical attractiveness played a part in my decision to marry him) and have been for 7 years now. We’ve had our minor and very MAJOR painful struggles (emotional, financial, family, loss of a child, etc.) but we’re both committed despite it all. It’s not perfect but we’re happy because we choose daily to love each other even if the feeling called love isn’t there. If we were happy only because I was better looking than he I don’t think we would be married now. We both married with shallow and fantastical dreams but the marriage became much deeper and richer once those dreams were painfully dashed and providing we continue to persevere, I am confident our marriage will become even better with time. I don’t think very many people could remain happily married for such a shallow and meaningless reason as looks alone. Most people long for something deeper and more meaningful at some point in life. That’s the way I see it, anyway.

Good thing my wife is super sexy and I am just ok. Maybe we will last another 10 years. Then 50 more.

Awwww C’mon…85 newlyweds for 6 months!?? Give me a break. Why don’t you conduct a study that might be just a tad more relative…such as 10,000 couples married over 20 years. Then you might get a clue as to what makes a healthy marriage….6 months…what a waste of bytes…

After reading all of the responses thus far, there’s only one post I agree
with: Money answers all things. I’m a single woman with $$$, When guys
find this out, the Cinderfellas, both the homely and the gorgeous,
come out of the wood work.

I’m no model, but I was always told I was very attractive. My husband isn’t as “attractive”. A bit pudgy, large port wine stain on his cheek, largish nose. BUT…unlike the “attractive” guys I dated, he treated me, and after 20 yrs, still treats me like a princess. His nickname for me is “Pretty girl”, and waking to that has always made me fel special. He has been a hard working spouse, and a wonderful father. His sense of humor is great, he’s smart, and he isn’t out carousing for a newer, prettier girl. We finish each other’s stories, we laugh, and I love him completely. Sure we have had our rough patches, but would I trade him for a Clooney or a Pitt? Not on your life.

This has proven true for us, but it’s certainly not the main reason for our happiness.

Be aware of ugly, small man( napoleon’s syndrome) with small co… and lower education level than you ….they are the worst cheaters…very unsecure…depressed, rude and abusive….marry the best looking, tall man, educated and you will be very happy…and you will have beautiful kids to look at every day….know from my experience…. and natural selection about fittest supports it…

I don’t believe this. I married my wife 32 years ago and I married her because she was smart. Yes, I was attracted to her, but not in a physical way. She got me through her brain. Gunny

Maybe so… I have been married almost 20 years and was considered very pretty by everyone and I am still the typical pretty blond mom – I married a darling man who all my family and friends said was not handsome at all but I just said I loved him and he was so kind – I knew he wasn’t the most handsome guy I had ever dated but I loved him regardless. My mom was sweet and said, “He’s the kind who gets better looking with age”. She was right He is so handsome now at 40 and we have often talked about how we have a wonderful relationship!

My sister on the otherhand isn’t very pretty and married a guy that is so fine, Brad Pitt has nothing on this guy however they are always unhappy and he is a mean messed up man. I wish she would leave him. I asked her once why she stayed and she said, ” He is so handsome, who else that looks like him would have me”.

Beauty isn’t on the outside -

Marry the geeks, girls, they make more money and better husbands and fathers.

Thanks for the news-I-can-use. If I double up on my ugly pills maybe I’ll get another 27 years.

Why does everything have to be about the outside appearance? I find the mind and the way the other handles issues to be very most attractive! Men, tell me what is attractive about seeing ribs or other bones from a body? One, beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder. People who may purposely starve themselves to look “good” need to put on some meat. That is NOT beauty.

Well both my husband and I are both attractive we have been together thirty years hes 60 and I am 55 neither of us look near our age .. we get all kinds of comments nice ones .. I never felt his was below me or under me and he has never that I know of as well.. strange study is this what government money goes to … lord

According to Harry Belafonte and the Coasters: “If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never make a pretty woman your wife….” Sounds like it holds true the other way too…

I’m glad that there are so many “experts” out there who can comment on the validity, or invalidity, of a scientific study based solely on a 10 paragraph summary article, and an article that doesn’t even mention methodology. Gee, gosh, golly. Maybe a couple of you geniuses can take a couple hours off of web-surfing and cure AIDS, create world peace and end starvation.

My mother told me long ago to marry the ugliest man I could find because he would treat me like a queen… think she knew something way back then? (PS: My husband is very handsome and still treats me like a queen…and I know he is very happy…)

Did the ugly guys know that they were the ugly guys?

This story is only about 40 years old. The singing group “The Coasters” had a popular song in the 60’s entitled “Get an ugly woman to marry you”. It was a hit. The song can be found on the Internet. I’d send it but don’t see a way to do that.

Regards

The same goes with women. Men, if you want a happy marriage, find a less attractive woman who is less maintenance and who loves you as you are.

Usually, good looking men prefer to marry a female who is considered ugly or close to that point. Equallity does not work in marriage refering about education, looks, or financial status. The beuatiful females most of the time marry a man who is capable financially support her and the family. Good looking females do not devote their time to aquire education and to become financially independant. Eventually, they become internally unhappy because lack of independance leads to become unsatisfy with themselves. They feel Unsatisfy because of having no outlet to use there potencials to the fullest.

I don’t think these allegations in the name of scientific study necessarily mean much.

What are the specifics of the study?

I think there are many other factors that have not even been considered. Beautful women can married plain men and be madly in love and the other way around.

Religious people often choose to be faithful to spouses because of committment & love or religious teaching. There are many variables.

After 38 years, I reject the looks factor. I think the primary reason for the success of our marriage was communication, communication, communication. We discussed just about everything from kids, finances, jobs, job changes, real estate, and just about everything in between. Today we talk about retirement (it is great) grandkids, great grandkids, neices, and nephews , There has never been any subject off limits and we have prospered for it. This will naturally factor in some disagreement and a lot of compromises but in the end it is well worth it.
My personal opinion is that the people doing this research already had their minds made up and managed to ask the questions that would support their theory.

Now how many guys in their 20’s and experiencing hair loss are going to meet a beautiful woman?

to be fair i have seen a number of these but in almost every case the “ugly” husband was successful, wealthy and more apt to be golfing in Hilton Head or gambling in Vegas than having an affair. The woman puts up with it as there are very few demands on her, and all the bills are paid and them some.

I married up – way up – and we have an exceptionally fantastic relationship and marriage of more than 16 years! From my perspective, I’d say the study has been proven.

men are attracted to things they find visually appealling. bottom line

This doesn’t even deserve to be called a ’study.’ (82 couples? Married 6 months?) Give me a break. Whoever conducted this study is having trouble finding a real job – or maybe this was an assignment for a group of children in Middle School. ‘Shallow’ would be a compliment.

The truth is every man wants to be Shallow Hal. Permanent beer goggles. That would be awesome.

I am a 68 year old female married for 50 years.
my husband and me would have gotten a long fine if he hadn’t been alcolochic( sp)
He quit drinking 9 years ago and both of our lives have been better since he retired.
he has been better looking than me ever since we got married.
Since he is retired he sits around and regrets all the times when he wasn’t home to go to ballgames and school functions with them

This is total BS. I married a man who wasn’t 1/10 as nice looking as I was “thinking” that idea would be true. But he treated me like crap. He was ridiculously aware of the fact that he didn’t measure up and put me down constantly to make himself feel better.

This is a false comment/study by someone obviously unattractive – and hoping to marry a model.

I noticed that the title to the next article/video was “Mens nipples – why are they there” Give us a freakin break. pft

This treacle is absolute garbage. This is the kind of superficial thinking and “results” that are partly responsible for the failure of relationships and marriages in our society today. Two PEOPLE get married, not two mannequins. “Pretty is as pretty does,” as my wonderful but plain grandmother always told me, her plain but plenty smart little granddaughter. I am beautiful from the inside out and my wonderful, amazing-looking husband of 37 years has never looked at another woman — well, a really good bosom can’t be ignored, but only the body parts, never the woman!!! Ha! I feel sorry for the young today who think their only value is in their looks. What happens to the worthy and loving young women and men who aren’t considered “good-looking?” Either they have to afford plastic surgery or look forward to living their lives alone or underappreciated? The media has caused this backassward way of looking at love and at life. IMO, of course. Someone who has been married 37 years to the same guy — my ONLY guy, I might add, as I am his ONLY gal. We have a very close marriage BECAUSE of who each other is inside. I wish the media would pick up on the very unsexy truth of human relationships. It could change the world!

How valid is a study of marriage happiness with people who have only been married 6 months or less and consisted of only 82 couples? Why even report on such silly study? Does FOX have an agenda here since the website has an agenda of posting pictures of scantily clad women all over the webpage?

Another thought,, did it take into consideration Mother-in-laws? God bless my wife,, she has had to put up with my Mom, most would have not.

I also thought of a couple, Heidi Klum and her husband what his name?

“If you want to be happy for the rest of your life, never take a pretty woman for your wife. No matter what they say to do, get an ugly woman to marry you” 1950’s song.

Marry a man “uglier” than you? Why not say, “marry a woman more attractive than you.” I think that would sound a little better than calling a couple “ugly”, but the man needs to be “uglier.” He’s the “ugliest” of the two. I seriously wonder who even writes the articles on this website.

true.. true.. true…

What a pathetic and unlogical survey. I’m not bragging, please don’t take this wrong, but I think I’m a very attractive man. I’ve dated some of the most beautiful women around. At the age of 20, I met the gal I’m with now, whom most certainly isn’t as pretty as others [Don't take that wrong either, looks ain't what matter to me]. But she is the most wonderful girl in the world to me, with a personality that shines like a morning sun.

At first it was tough for me to look past our natural predispositions on selecting a spouse, but I came to find that our human nature can overcome that when we truly understand that a personality makes us happier than looks in life.

I know men who have beautiful wives but they still cheat on them. it doesnt matter how attractive you are it doesnt save you from being cheated on

Unbelievable, how about we all just throw romance out the door, and get cards that rate us on a scale of 1-10, and you can only marry someone that is below your score. With so much wrong going on in the US and around the world, can we focus on some good old news? These are the stories that make the national news agencies look like a big fat joke. I guess it goes to show just how far we have slipped as a civilization. God help us.

The same goes for men, “marry an ugly woman if you want a happy marriage”. If you marry a beautiful one, other men will always be hitting on them.

At 21 and considered good looking, I married an 18-year old “beauty queen” who presented me with a son, twin sons, a daughter, and finally another son. After 16 years of ups and downs and many moves, the marriage ended for a variety of reasons. Today we are friends and both have remarried. I would say that the article is right on the money, generally speaking.

Why is everything always have to be in “evolutionary terms?” Science is seeing every day more holes in that theory and most people believe in a Creator. Yeah we all know guys put more stock in looks, but thats the way they were made. Stop basing theories off fairy tales.

Wow, it seems that everyone is forgetting the love. SO many people have become sensitive over this subject…mostly men. That’s funny. Is it because you are the less attractive mate in your partnership? Does it matter? To say that your pretty wife is still with you because you make the money is degrading your love to call-girl status. That is unfair, and it demeans the lady you chose to spend your life with. In my experience, I make the money. I am more attractive than my husband. So what? I love him dearly, and he is attractive to me. It is not because I feel like women won’t hit on him; they do! It is not because I am insecure with myself. It is not because I want to control him, he pursued me persistently! It is not because I could not “find anyone better.” It is because he is my “ride or die” man. We have been tested thoroughly in the 5 years leading up to our marriage, and now we are confident we will make it. I think the world of him, and I could not care less if he is less attractive. He treats me like a Queen everyday, and our marriage is grounded in a strong faith. It is worrisome to hear so many married people on this post who seem very insecure with themselves. I pray your marriages are rooted in true love and respect. Thank you.

Here’s a new study folks. If you really want to be happy. DON’T GET MARRIED. My study shows that the leading cause of divorce…..is marriage! Now….where do I collect my grants for this “scientific study”?

I bet this study was done by ugly men!!! What a joke? Could you maybe concentrate that phD on something more relevant to helping society???

I am in a relationship now and I feel that I am slightly more attractive than my boyfriend. And yeah he treats me like gold, but it also shows to me that he has no backbone and I am not as happy as you would think I should be. I like a man who is comfortable with himself inside and out. He thinks I am going to leave him all the time and that is what is causing me to lose interest. He is insecure with my looks.

I agree with Dr Manny. In addition I think that the age difference should be at least 10 years and also the man should not be very rich.

It is amazing how many posted comments to this story. It does make me wonder, i am not married, but have been with the same guy for 9 years now. we are completely unhappy. this article would suggest that i am too ugly for him though i have always considered myself to be the better looking one. we constantly fight and it is currently coming to an end. I believe it is all about how you treat each other. I think that my soon-to-be-ex is so superficial that it actually makes him mad that I am attractive. He is the jealous type, so i think this makes him paranoid that i will move on to someone ‘more fitting’ for me. well, i stayed faithful to him for 9 years…so sorry for him. maybe if he finds an ugly girl he will be happier.

I believe the survey is accurate. It applies to my marriage of 44 years.

I am a (still) beautiful woman at 56 and was married for 15 years to a too-handsome man. He looked just like Robert Redford, but he was also very full of himself and had any women he wanted before our marriage. I should have seen the red flags but we were madly in love. His affairs started pretty soon, including when I was pregnant, and beyond. I left him three times but always came back. Such is the power of the addicition of being in love. See the film “What the Bleep do we know?” to get a real understanding of how chemical addictions happen in the brain…love, food, sex, alcohol – you name it. I divorced him 12 years ago and dated a succession of very handsome men. Every single one of them were assholes, because they knew they were candy to women. In my whole life I’ve only known 2 very handsome men who were really good guys…kind, sweet, humble and happily married. Now, my great boyfriend of 3 years is a good-looking man, but in a wholesome, burly, clean-cut, strong-jawed way, quirky way and with a very slight paunch. I think he’s the handsomest and sexiest man alive because he’s so good to me. All his friends tell him what a beautiful girlfriend he has (and I’m 12 years older) and he puts his arm around me in public with great pride and love shining in his eyes. Yup – girls – forget pretty men!!! He will never be happy being with only one woman because he won’t have to.

My wife and I are both physically attractive and have been together for 15 years.

A successful marriage isn’t rocket science. Respect and honor your spouse and things will work themselves out. And that, by the way, is a TWO-WAY street – it has to be both ways.

This is not true for the black race. Black women do not want a ugly man. If she marries one it is for the money and she would surely cheat on him. Also she would not be seen in public with such a ugly man. Black men will not be seen, take a ugly women with him, will not walk beside her. The only thing he will do is cut off the light and make pretending love to her. White people will marry ugly on top of ugly even if neither have any money. Whites look for what is in a person’s heart.

You know what I think, yea date someone uglier than you, and they probably wont cheat… but the insecurities of you getting all the attention instead of them, lowers thier self esteem, even if you tell them all that matters is how I feel.. It’s a double edged sword. We Can’t Win! Ha-Ha

This is absolutely ridiculous. Why would you knowingly want to be with somebody you consider ugly? Wouldn’t that make your husband feel bad knowing that you don’t really find him attractive? That you are only with him to satisfy your own happiness. I mean really, it depends on compatibility and how you feel for each other. No offense to my dad, but he is not an attractive man at all in my eyes, but my mother married him and their marriage is on a fast pit-fall to divorce. I don’t believe in that at all. BOGUS!!!!!!! Get a real life and study something more interested and of course people married for 6 yrs. are going to be happy go lucky.

Of course women who love these men would be happier. The men can focus on their wives more because there is no high demand for their attention by other women, s is the case of very good looking men who are constantly pursued even after gettting married. The attitude of these men reflect a greater appreciation for their spouses since there is not a very high demand.

dani’s wrong, it’s not the media saying men only want sexy, beautiful women. Like men didn’t want that in women long before TV & movies came along – give me a break.

Not sure about any of you but I’ve met some mean, angry, ugly women too – maybe they were that way because they were not fit & attractive.

Considering how insecure women are about so many aspects of their lives, it isn’t surprising that something as simple as “which spouse looks better” could be the straw that breaks the mirriage’s back.

I agree. Having a wife that other men might envy is desireable to the men I know, like having a cool car and the winning sports team. I believe women in general can be more interested in the relationship and the family unit, than how people perceive her husband’s looks.

the happiest marriages are those where the husband speaks his wife’s “love language” and where the wife speaks her husband’s “love language”. Every person in the world both married and single (hoping to get married) NEEDS TO READ THE BOOK “THE FIVE LOVE LANGUAGES” by Gary Chapman. I have been married for 23 yrs and I read this book after my wife left me last year. We are back together now and our marriage is the happiest it’s ever been because I now know what my wife’s love language is and she knows mine. READ THE BOOK – it will transform your marriage!!!!

Dr. Manny – you need to have Gary Chapman as a guest on FOX to discuss the 5 love languages!

No one likes Matthew.

No one likes narrow minded people like Matthew.

I’d like to know how much money was granted for this study.

We have people in our country who can’t find jobs, who are going without health insurance, food and shelter and yet psychologists are wasting money on this kind of research. Who cares? Besides it’s all nonsense. Apparently the psychologists involved in this study had nothing better to do.

I actually think there is merit to this study! The nicest man in my life thus far, is always being teased about getting lucky when he started dating me and his best friend told him I was way above his league . . . He is kind, thoughtful, respectful and truly appreciates what we have developed. My previous relationships with really attractive men – seemed to revolve around their needs for constant affirmation that they were good looking, desirable, etc. As my mom used to tell me – when the lights are turned off – you can’t tell how good looking they are but you’ll sure remember how they made you feel throughout the day! Give me nice any day before you give me handsome and high maitenance!

Obviously they have no idea within a 6 month period! I was better looking than my now ex-husband. He had several affairs during our marriage, during his second marriage, and through his dating history. A good marriage involves communication, trust, and give & take. Also if you are going to get married, you should mean them live by them when you say your vows.

Looks has never been a priority to me; it’s what’s in the heart that count (ugly or not)

I totally disagree. I think this is male biased a reason for ugly males to marry supermodels who they otherwise cannot get. Don’t women deserve to be happy? I have been told I could be a model, that I am very pretty. I want a handsome man that matches my looks.That is the best marriage to me. I do NOT want an ugly man. I am very physical and sexual so I need someone who really turns me on. I will only marry a man who’s looks MATCH mine. That to me is the perfect marriage for both people. These findings are sexist, men get the better end of the deal in this study.

I know two women who married ugly men (the women looked better) the men still cheated, they were mean and abusive. Men are men no matter how ugly or cute they are, many stilll cheat and act badly.

[...] they are more likely to have happy marriages (at least in the short term).  Harrumph – some girls have all the luck. golden [...]

My wife is beautiful. She is much better looking than I am. The thought of cheating on her never crosses my mind, because I am sure that I couldn’t find anyone close to her in the looks category. I put up with my wife because of how she looks. I am also 10 years older than her, so when her looks go I’ll be too old to go. I am also afraid to not treat her well, because she could leave me tomorrow and have endless offers from men because of her beauty.