Do Girls Like Hairy Guys

Do Girls Like Hairy Guys

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Stephanie Pappas

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By

Stephanie Pappas

published October 09, 2012

Humans are not nearly as furry as our closest primate relatives, a fact that has puzzled evolutionary biologists for more than a century. One common theory for our relative hairlessness suggests that women long ago adopted a preference for less hairy guys as a way to avoid lice and other nasty bloodsuckers that might call a pelt home.
But new research suggests that this so-called "ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis" may not explain the evolution of human hairlessness . In fact, women prefer relatively hair-free guys across the board, according to new research published online Sept. 13 in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior. This preference for smooth skin holds whether or not parasite risk is high.
"According to evolutionary view, hairless men should be preferred, particularly in areas (or cultures) with high parasite threat, which means close to the equator, where parasite richness is highest," study researcher Pavol Prokop, a professor of biology at Trnava University in Slovakia, wrote in an email to LiveScience. "We compared only two countries that differ in parasite threat, but we found no differences in women's preferences."
Prokop and his colleagues asked 161 Turkish and 183 Slovakian women to rate the attractiveness of men with hairy and hairless chests. To keep the men's appearance as consistent as possible, the researchers had men photographed from the neck to the waist with hairy chests, and then asked them to shave before posing for an identical photograph.
Turkey was chosen because the country has a higher rate of parasite-transmitted diseases , such as malaria and dengue fever, than Slovakia and has long had more instances of these illnesses, the researchers wrote. The researchers expected to find, then, that Turkish women would be more sensitive to parasite concerns and prefer less-hairy men than their northerly counterparts in Slovakia, where parasites are less of an issue. [ Top 10 Disgusting Parasites ]
Instead, the researchers found that very few women in either country prefer a hairy chest. Only about 20 percent of women rated the more hirsute versions of the men as more attractive.
Before the ectoparasite hypothesis for hairlessness is ruled out, researchers need to test a broader range of countries, Prokop said. Earlier studies suggested women's hair preferences do differ by country and even U.S. state, with women in the African nation of Cameroon, for example, preferring hairier guys, while women in China, New Zealand and California went for a bare look. Some research even suggests women in fertile phases of their menstrual cycles are attracted to less hair on men than women in less-fertile phases, who prefer a slightly hairier look.
"Clearly, more cross-cultural comparison is needed to solve this question," Prokop said.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience . We're also on Facebook & Google+ .
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Brandon Specktor about 11 hours ago
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Stephanie Pappas

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Live Science Contributor

Mammals ballooned in size after the dinosaurs went extinct. Here's how they did it.
NASA will try to launch Artemis again on Saturday, Sept. 3

FDA authorizes updated COVID-19 boosters

Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands

Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors

The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe
More stories to check out before you go
Live Science is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s why you can trust us .

By

Stephanie Pappas

published October 09, 2012

Humans are not nearly as furry as our closest primate relatives, a fact that has puzzled evolutionary biologists for more than a century. One common theory for our relative hairlessness suggests that women long ago adopted a preference for less hairy guys as a way to avoid lice and other nasty bloodsuckers that might call a pelt home.
But new research suggests that this so-called "ectoparasite avoidance hypothesis" may not explain the evolution of human hairlessness . In fact, women prefer relatively hair-free guys across the board, according to new research published online Sept. 13 in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior. This preference for smooth skin holds whether or not parasite risk is high.
"According to evolutionary view, hairless men should be preferred, particularly in areas (or cultures) with high parasite threat, which means close to the equator, where parasite richness is highest," study researcher Pavol Prokop, a professor of biology at Trnava University in Slovakia, wrote in an email to LiveScience. "We compared only two countries that differ in parasite threat, but we found no differences in women's preferences."
Prokop and his colleagues asked 161 Turkish and 183 Slovakian women to rate the attractiveness of men with hairy and hairless chests. To keep the men's appearance as consistent as possible, the researchers had men photographed from the neck to the waist with hairy chests, and then asked them to shave before posing for an identical photograph.
Turkey was chosen because the country has a higher rate of parasite-transmitted diseases , such as malaria and dengue fever, than Slovakia and has long had more instances of these illnesses, the researchers wrote. The researchers expected to find, then, that Turkish women would be more sensitive to parasite concerns and prefer less-hairy men than their northerly counterparts in Slovakia, where parasites are less of an issue. [ Top 10 Disgusting Parasites ]
Instead, the researchers found that very few women in either country prefer a hairy chest. Only about 20 percent of women rated the more hirsute versions of the men as more attractive.
Before the ectoparasite hypothesis for hairlessness is ruled out, researchers need to test a broader range of countries, Prokop said. Earlier studies suggested women's hair preferences do differ by country and even U.S. state, with women in the African nation of Cameroon, for example, preferring hairier guys, while women in China, New Zealand and California went for a bare look. Some research even suggests women in fertile phases of their menstrual cycles are attracted to less hair on men than women in less-fertile phases, who prefer a slightly hairier look.
"Clearly, more cross-cultural comparison is needed to solve this question," Prokop said.
Follow Stephanie Pappas on Twitter @sipappas or LiveScience @livescience . We're also on Facebook & Google+ .
Stephanie Pappas is a contributing writer for Live Science, covering topics ranging from geoscience to archaeology to the human brain and behavior. She was previously a senior writer for Live Science but is now a freelancer based in Denver, Colorado, and regularly contributes to Scientific American and The Monitor, the monthly magazine of the American Psychological Association. Stephanie received a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina and a graduate certificate in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Brandon Specktor about 11 hours ago
Stay up to date on the latest science news by signing up for our Essentials newsletter.
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There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab) .
©
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NY 10036.

Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. ©2022 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved.
“Men face the same type of pressures that women do. Their pressure is to be hairy, and girls are ― their pressure’s to not be hairy."
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Part of HuffPost Style & Beauty. ©2022 BuzzFeed, Inc. All rights reserved.
Men's Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post
Full beard, chest hair, full pubic bush or totally clean-shaven testicles ― guys might manscape for comfort or to feel, shall we say, bigger in certain areas. But here’s something else men may not consider: what do women want?
Using mannequins with hair stuck to them, Glamour asked three women for their thoughts on body hair and grooming, and it turns out that as far as men are concerned, they like it pretty much all-natural.
“What I prefer on a man is really just this,” one woman said, pointing to a mannequin with a full beard, full armpit hair, full chest hair and full pubic hair (OK ― she cut back the mustache slightly, “for access purposes”).
But when the ladies talked about their bodies, they illustrated the interesting truth about gender roles and expectations of beauty: the same standard that goes for women not shaving, also applies to men who shave.
“Men face the same type of pressures that women do. Their pressure is to be hairy, and girls are ― their pressure’s to not be hairy. So I don’t think there’s a double standard.”
Men's Lifestyle Editor, The Huffington Post

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Meet up with friends

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Do Women Find Body Hair Attractive?
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Some women lust over scruff (let us not forget the on-going lumbersexual craze we’re still riding out), while others want a man to be manicured head-to-toe . That leaves a lot of confusion for a guy! So, to put things into perspective, we asked over 100 women: Hair or no hair? The results may surprise you.
Out of the 105 women, 78 said they dig it (73%), while 28 (27%) would prefer a hairless man. However, even though the overwhe
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