Women Prefer Bad Boys for Procreation

By Kai Colvin - Senior Medical Research Editor | August 13th, 2012

The allure of the bad boy image can be a mystifying experience for women.

So—just what type of men are best for procreation?

Is it the type of men who make the rules as they go, eventually barring convention and political correctness? Perhaps James Bond or David Beckham strikes your preference.

Research shows that when it involves the focus of procreation—women are choosing bad boys down the road to pregnancy. According the University of Texas at San Antonio, research indicates that hormones associated with ovulation influence a women’s perception of men as prospective fathers.

Assistant professor of marketing at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) College of Business, Kristina Durante states, "Previous research has shown in the week near ovulation women become attracted to sexy, rebellious and handsome men like George Clooney or James Bond."

Fertility and Dating

Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is accessible to be fertilized.

In Durante’s first study women viewed online dating profiles of either a sexy bad boy or a dependable male figure throughout stages of ovulation and low fertility. Participants were asked to indicate the expected paternal involvement from the men if they had a child together based on compassionate he would be to the baby, grocery shopping, cooking and backing the household chores. The women who were closest to ovulation women indicated that a sexy cad would contribute more to his responsibilities.

"Under the hormonal influence of ovulation, women delude themselves into thinking that the sexy bad boys will become devoted partners and better dads," Durant enlightened. "When looking at the sexy cad through ovulation goggles, Mr. Wrong looked exactly like Mr. Right."

In a second study women interrelated directly with male actors who played the part of a sexy bad boy and reliable father once in the course of ovulation and again at the less effective stage of fertility. The results proved to be the same, ovulating women indicated that the sexy cad —not the reliable father — would contribute more to his responsibilities.

"When asked about what kind of father the sexy bad boy would make if he were to have children with another woman, women were quick to point out the bad boy's shortcomings," stated Durante. "But when it came to their own child, ovulating women believed that the charismatic and adventurous cad would be a great father to their kids."

So, whose fault is it?

The bad boy image portrays a fear of commitment and an alluring way of electrifying women. While some women choose to blame the sexy cad for charming one’s mind, perhaps it may have been the woman’s fault all along—or rather those devious ovaries.

What happened to the man who is sexy and a reliable guy? Do they still exist?

Of course they do, but don’t let your ovaries be the judge of that.

To learn more about fertility and ovulation, find a gynecologists-obgyn near you.