What kind of man women want: It has changed in the last three years

As of 2020, women have lost interest in a certain type of man - according to an expert. What they are looking for in a partner has changed.

In the words of biological anthropologist Dr Helen Fisher, you can't 'lock someone up for two years, like during the corona pandemic, and expect people to come out the same'.

What is required of an ideal partner has changed in the last three years. Emotional maturity has made its way to the top of the list of things to look for in a partner over the past few years, says Fisher, referring to the annual Singles In America study, in which he participates, writes yourTango.

Fisher explains that every year they ask research participants what they are looking for in a partner, and the most common answers are always - 'someone who respects me'; 'someone I can trust and confide in'; 'someone who makes me laugh'; 'someone who is attractive'; 'someone who has enough time for me'...

"Since the pandemic, this list now lists 'someone who is emotionally mature,'" Fisher points out.

Maybe something about being in quarantine with your partner really magnified what was missing for them, for you, and for the relationship dynamic.

Women have long been attracted to 'bad boys' - long believed to be for sustainable, biological reasons. In many ways, 'bad guy' and 'charismatic potential partner' can mean the same thing.

"'Bad boys' are charismatic. They probably have high dopamine and high testosterone. Women like men with high testosterone. For millions of years, a man with high testosterone is more likely to hit that buffalo with a rock and bring home a nice big feast. With that courage, he would could be the guy who's going to have a fancy job, make more money and maybe have more resources. There's a reason why women are attracted to the 'bad guy,'" Fisher says, adding that he thinks it's become less important after the pandemic.

Now there is data about it. There are new reasons for singles to seek emotional well-being in a partner.

According to the aforementioned Singles In America survey, in 2022, 87% of singles said it was important for both partners to prioritize mental health, and two-thirds of singles were open to therapy.

"Now more than ever, singles are invested in conscious relationships, looking beyond mere physical attraction. They use encounters as a way to learn about themselves, who they are, what they need. Singles date with intention and seek someone with care," he writes in studies.

Love at first sight and commitment based on initial attraction are not as common today as taking the time to get to know a person, who they are and how stable they are.

The study also states that 49% of singles have fallen in love with someone they didn't like at first, up from 38% in the last decade.

"'Bad boys' who evolve into emotionally intelligent men sound like a charismatic, confident hit to me. And confidence is the number one thing anyone wants in a partner," says Fisher.