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Sex Differences in Desired Characteristics of Short-Term and Long-Term Relationship Partners

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Heather Stinnett

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Lawrence B. Rosenfeld

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, lbrosenfeld{at}unc.edu

This investigation compared women's and men's desired characteristics in partners for typical short-term ('dating someone more than once' without an expectation of a short- or long-term relationship) and long-term ('dating someone for a long time' with the possibility, but not certainty, of marriage) relationships. Results indicated that (a) both women and men are more selective when selecting a long-term rather than a short-term relationship partner, and (b) women and men differ in their desired characteristics for short-term relationship partners and long-term relationship partners. The preferred characteristics of each sex support a qualified differential parental investment perspective: men see `reproductive value' (e.g., physical attractiveness) as important for potential female partners, and women look at `resource acquisition ability' (e.g., earning capacity) as important for potential male partners. While there were significant differences between men and women in their desired characteristics in short- and long-term relationship partners, there were many similarities in what they seek, such as the desire for children in long-term partners and an exciting personality in short-term and long-term partners.

Key Words: differential parental investment • heterosexual relationships • sex differences • sexual strategies theory

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, Vol. 17, No. 6, 843-853 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/0265407500176008


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