demi and ashton?

[briannell]

not just in humans anymore - guess this is voiding the "older" is better theory.


Fish Mating Preferences Change With Age

Thursday, December 29, 2005

By Sara Goudarzi



A new study shows that imperfect male swordtail fish are all the rage of the mating scene among older females of their species.

Over their lifetimes, female fish switch from preferring males with symmetrical patterns to those with asymmetrical designs, a new study finds.

Scientists now wonder if human mating preferences might shift with age, too.

"What this tells us is that females are most likely weighing several different factors when they choose a mate," said Molly Morris, an associate professor of biological sciences at Ohio University.

Previous studies showed females preferred mates that were symmetrical, an indicator of good genes. However, Morris' study and several others have found that as female fish get older, their mating preferences completely reverse.

"We are hypothesizing that some other factor, like predation, could outweigh the benefit of the good genes for older, larger females," Morris told LiveScience.

Morris and her colleagues looked at two species of swordtail fish and compared the mating preferences of the young with the old.

The smaller, younger females showed a significant preference for males with the same number of dark bars on both sides of their body, while larger, older, females preferred males with different numbers of markings on each side of their body.

The results show that preferences for symmetry are not necessarily driven by visual systems and cues. The study also provides more evidence that mate preferences for female fish can change over their lifetimes.

Finally, females are likely optimizing several factors when they make mate choices, rather than basing their decision on whether a male has good genes to pass on to their offspring, Morris explained.

The reason for the "switch" is not yet understood. The researchers are planning experiments to determine if it's simply part of a female's development over the course of her lifetime, or if it is in some way due to the experiences females have.

"Older, larger females will have had more mating experience," Morris said.

The results raise questions about whether the same is true of other species. Studies that have examined what male and female humans consider attractive show that both sexes find symmetrical faces more appealing.

However, these studies have primarily examined young people. In one recent study, the average age of the participants was around 20.

"It will be interesting to see if the preferences of 30- and 40-year-olds are different than the 20-year-olds," Morris said. "What we look for in a mate could shift as we get older."

The study was detailed online recently by the journal Biology Letters.

Copyright © 2005 Imaginova Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[briannell]

not just in humans anymore - guess this is voiding the "older" is better theory.


Fish Mating Preferences Change With Age

Thursday, December 29, 2005

By Sara Goudarzi



A new study shows that imperfect male swordtail fish are all the rage of the mating scene among older females of their species.

Over their lifetimes, female fish switch from preferring males with symmetrical patterns to those with asymmetrical designs, a new study finds.

Scientists now wonder if human mating preferences might shift with age, too.

"What this tells us is that females are most likely weighing several different factors when they choose a mate," said Molly Morris, an associate professor of biological sciences at Ohio University.

Previous studies showed females preferred mates that were symmetrical, an indicator of good genes. However, Morris' study and several others have found that as female fish get older, their mating preferences completely reverse.

"We are hypothesizing that some other factor, like predation, could outweigh the benefit of the good genes for older, larger females," Morris told LiveScience.

Morris and her colleagues looked at two species of swordtail fish and compared the mating preferences of the young with the old.

The smaller, younger females showed a significant preference for males with the same number of dark bars on both sides of their body, while larger, older, females preferred males with different numbers of markings on each side of their body.

The results show that preferences for symmetry are not necessarily driven by visual systems and cues. The study also provides more evidence that mate preferences for female fish can change over their lifetimes.

Finally, females are likely optimizing several factors when they make mate choices, rather than basing their decision on whether a male has good genes to pass on to their offspring, Morris explained.

The reason for the "switch" is not yet understood. The researchers are planning experiments to determine if it's simply part of a female's development over the course of her lifetime, or if it is in some way due to the experiences females have.

"Older, larger females will have had more mating experience," Morris said.

The results raise questions about whether the same is true of other species. Studies that have examined what male and female humans consider attractive show that both sexes find symmetrical faces more appealing.

However, these studies have primarily examined young people. In one recent study, the average age of the participants was around 20.

"It will be interesting to see if the preferences of 30- and 40-year-olds are different than the 20-year-olds," Morris said. "What we look for in a mate could shift as we get older."

The study was detailed online recently by the journal Biology Letters.

Copyright © 2005 Imaginova Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.[/quote]

[mslacat]

As a male who is ( soon legally) to find himself single, I desperately tried to find some words of wisdom from this thread to guide me

[briannell]

hang in there MSLACAT

I'm sticking with catsrback76 that "older" men are the way to go even though articles like this reference differently. women want security, stablity, a man with a JOB and with plenty of "skills". WHo wants Peter Pan? they are fun, yep some are really hot, but since you have kids, most women your age will too, and coming from a mom- peter Pan isn't what you want long term. fun to play with and that's all.

I will stipulate (because Brad and I have had this talk) those Peter Pan men are awefully tempting. they usually work, have a good time when they go out, and are well liked by all. Than as a woman you begin to analyze them past how nice their butts look in wranglers. You see that although he'd make HOT sex, and a "fun" buddy for the kids - he just isn't settled. unsettled men make bad partners.

sidenote-

have great friends that "date" women like 4-8 years but can't commit to marriage- shocking that women tolerate that. it all is fun for awhile but gets annoying down the road - even if he is smoking hot.

[briannell]

according to MSN the "older" man is the way to go. So, may be the fish are wrong


Type #1: The Older Man
There comes a point in every guy’s life when he’s no longer interested in keg parties, Sony PlayStations, and phrases like “getting laid.” In short, a man becomes a man, and that’s exactly why you should see what an older guy is all about. No, it’s not because he could be a sugardaddy who’ll shower you with fancy meals and great gifts (although that could be nice).

The real perk of dating an older guy is his worldliness and wisdom, which is bound to rub off on you, says Steve Nakamoto, author of Men Are Like Fish: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Catching a Man. “Because he’s had more life experience and has been through more than younger guys, he can play something of a teacher role,” he explains, adding that he once dated a woman 14 years younger than him. “She still calls me today to thank me for the things I taught her,” he says. “She’s always been very appreciative of advice I gave her, even little things like buying a CD, after I explained that I meant certificate of deposit, and not a music album