Its the shape of men that matters

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 6

Its the shape of men that matters

(By

HELEN HOWARD)

Men are of many shapes and sizes. Some turn you on. Some do not. But do you really know why?

I If you did, you might be in for a shock. You might think that a man’s mind, sense of humour, or knowledge of Shakespeare’s sonnets is what attracts you to him. But it is much more likely to be the fact that his shoulders are wider than his hips or he has a long neck and skinny legs. It’s the shape of a man that Gratters, according to University of Chicago psychologist, Dr Paul Lavrakis, who has recently carried out in-depth studies on more than 100 women. He found that invariably we always go for the same shape of man regardless of character or personality. “First appearances are vitally important to a woman whether she realises it or not,” he says. “And usually she doesn’t.” IDEAL MAN Backing for Dr Lavrakis’s findings also comes from a San Diego organisation called Man Watchers Incorporated whose 1500 woman members have just completed a two-tnonth survey into the ideal man. According to the president. 38-year-old Ms Suzy Mallaery: “time and again when showing pictures to woman volunteers we found that they were attracted by the basic shape of the man — and it was usually the same shape as their husband or current boyfriend.”

Dr Lavrakis agrees. “For J years men have clung to the belief that women don’t worry about the shape of the guys they go out with — that they will love them for what they are, rather than how they look. “But that’s just not true. Women don’t like physically second-rate men, any more than men like shapeless women. But it is the spectrum of preferences that intrigues us and which is the most important aspect of the survey.” So what sort of man do you like? There are seven basic shapes to choose from ranging from the shapeless thin man to the shapeless fat man. But apparently what interest us most, (whether we know it or not), are the curves of arms, legs, hips, and chest. LOW RATING Bottom of the list is the fat, pear-shaped man, who is out of condition and could not care less about it. He is convinced that he is lovely, what-ever his shape. He normally ends up with a mature, tolerant woman, who is probably overweight Tierself and does not worry about it. Their lives will be pleasant though predictable. Next comes the stocky, rather shapeless man who appeals to an unimaginative, though liberated woman. She comes from a conventional but strict family background, and tends to regard men as useful but ■somewhat tiresome creatures. She has her own social ' circle — and it rarely includes her man. Very thin men, with rather scrawny shapeless figures, are attractive to trendy women who have rejected the male-dominated environment they were brought up in. Their relationship with men is a ferociously equal one with no concessions given or expected. They dress their men in casual clothes designed to accentuate their thinness. The only problem is that these women are likely to tire of their men very quickly. And they invariably replace them with a nearreplica. “MR UNIVERSE” The “Mr Universe” shape is favoured by women who think they are liberated, but who are firmly rooted in the “men are the bosses” tradition. This kind of woman ! enjoys being dominated and, i although she makes a token I display of independence, is i content to leave all the > major decisions — and many of the minor ones — to him. Small slim men are preferred by small slim women. This relationship is usually rather unadventurous and (subdued. The couple prefer itheir own company, and (rarely mix with strangers.

The well-shaped but slightly overweight. man arouses the maternal instinct in many women. He is masculine but also cuddly-. He plays a dominant role but at the same time is easy going and susceptible to persuasion. Top of the list is the V-shaped male. He is slightly under average weight for his build with hard rather than rippling muscles. He has slender arms and legs, trim wrists and ankles and a waist and hips slimmer than his shoulders. He is not pugnaciously masculine, but relaxed and assured. He will love and cherish a woman but not stifle her individuality. Does such a perfect specimen exist? Apparently not, but Man Watchers Incorporated have made a composite model which would have the hair of the singer, John Davidson, Roger Moore’s face, Tarzan’s shoulders, Robert Conrad’s torso and Jimmy Connors’s legs. After all this, Miss Mallery concedes: “If we met someone like that we probably wouldn’t like him. He’d just be too perfect to be true.” — Features International.