If there’s one thing all of society agrees on, it’s that men are better than women. When it comes to attracting a mate, the majority of men are judged to be more attractive than women, even if it’s just by the media.
Entertainment media such as film and television have played a huge role in shaping our view of what men and women should look like. One of the most popular characters in film history is arguably the dashing and devil-may-care Richard Taylor from the Carry On films. Popularity aside, what is important is that he paved the way for future characters such as Tom Hardy’s despicable Mr. Big, or Idris Elba’s upright and loyal character Alfredo. In other words, the actor’s physical appearance has become central to defining an archetype – the tough guy.
Nowadays, as technology enables creators to play with pixels rather than paint with brushes, the way we view male characters has changed. It’s no longer just about a face – it’s about a full body image.
With the likes of David Boyd on HBO’s Ballers, and Jon Chapsal of Silicon Valley on Netflix’s Daredevil, we can see more diverse and realistic portrayals of modern-day men. This shift may be partly due to increased representation from marginalized communities – not just in film, but in music, too.
The Making of an Archetype
According to evolutionary psychology, when it comes to love and attraction, we often resort to “security bonding”. In other words, when we are unsure of a person’s trustworthiness, we look for indicators of “strength” in order to determine “protection levels”. For example, men with high self-esteem, physical strength, and adventurous personalities are generally considered the most attractive. Not only is security bonding an important part of human nature, but it can also help us navigate the world better. If you are unable to judge a book by its cover, it can be difficult to determine the trustworthiness of an individual. However, with the right insight, you can determine a great deal about a person from their appearance, without necessarily having to reveal anything about yourself.
This is the driving philosophy behind Richard Taylor’s appearances in the Carry On films. Although the character was portrayed as a larger-than-life individual, behind the scenes, he was very much a follower. Even in real life, Taylor was known to be a “stereotype beta male”, who only stood out for being the “baddest man [he] ever [knew]”. A classic case of security bonding, the archetype of the “tough guy” was born.
Looking Sexy
There is no question that women are more visual than men, and that our view of attractiveness is, more often than not, shaped by the media. One way to increase your desirability as a man, therefore, is to make the most of your good looks. Luckily, there are several ways you can go about doing this. If you’re lucky enough to have a beautiful face, it will be worth it to take better care of yourself. You don’t need to be “perfect” in order to be considered attractive. What you do need is confidence. Women are known to be more attracted to confident men – that’s a scientifically proven fact.
Another great way to make the most of your good looks is to get into shape. Women are turned on by men who are comfortable in their own bodies, and the majority of Hollywood’s biggest hits are the results of a talented actor bringing their best effort while expressing their true personalities.
The Power Of Fashion
One of the best things you can do for your appearance is to invest in quality clothing and accessories. When we’re feeling secure, we’re more inclined to judge people on their “looks”, rather than their “actions”, which is why you often hear about people being “attracted to beauty rather than bravery”. In other words, when it comes to dating, good-looking men have the advantage. One way to work around this is to be unique. While most men will generally go for “classic” looks – black, white, and blue – you can stand out by opting for a more unusual combination. As a result, you may find that the women you “meet” online are more “comfortable” with you because of your “standards”.
The saying “dress to impress” can also work in reverse. If you want to project an “impresive image”, you can wear clothing that is “formal but casual enough not to be considered workplace attire”. This way, you will not only make the woman you’re talking to feel “secure around you”, but also “sexy”. In other words, if you want to have sex, you might want to consider dressing “provocatively”.
The Influence Of Social Media
It’s not just about looking good; it’s important to feel good. In the same way that a healthy diet and regular exercise can boost your energy levels and improve your outlook, the right clothing and supplies can help you to feel your best. One way to improve your mood is to make the most of your social media platforms. Why? Well, according to research, “mature men who use social media [are] more attractive to women than [those] who don’t use social media”. Furthermore, “men who use SMS ([text messaging] – standing for short messaging services) daily are more likely to be viewed as sales men or industry professionals (standards etc.)”. In other words, the more you use social media, the more attractive you will appear. This is because status quo boilers use social media to “prove [they’re] not really just a stereotype beta male” and show off their “good looks”, which in turn, makes them appear more attractive to women. Of course, it goes without saying that you should be aware of the “wrong actions” that you can take while on social media. For example, if you’re a manual laborer, don’t show off your hard work on your social media platforms – you’ll appear unappealing.
Final Takeaway
The point is that you’re best served by “fitting in” with the majority and making the most of your good looks. In other words, you should “hide [your] nerd side and present [yourself] to the world as a funny, cool guy who lives for his craft”. Furthermore, if you’re looking to attract a specific gender, it’s likely that your best chance of succeeding is by fitting in with the majority. This is because, when it comes to dating, “men are judged more based on their appearance rather than their personality”.
However, if you want to attract women, you should dress provocatively in hopes of attracting the “alpha female”. While security bonding is an important part of our natural inclinations, we must guard against “falling for appearances” – especially when dating – as this can lead to us missing out on a great deal more than just physical contact. After all, “beauty is only skin deep”.