New research from Ipsos in the UK – in partnership with JOE media – suggests that while young men are more likely to believe women prioritise attractiveness (50%) and financial status (39%) in a romantic partner (along with a sense of humour 39%), their female peers say they consider a sense of humour (60%) and kindness (53%) to be the more important. In addition, over half (53%) of 16-24 men and 31% of 16-24 women believe that “the majority of women are only attracted to a small subset of men”, a core idea that underpins incel culture.
Key findings
- Young men more likely to agree that the majority of women are only attracted to a small subset of men: 53% of men aged 16-24 agree with the statement that “the majority of women are only attracted to a small subset of men” (20% disagree), compared with 32% of the public overall (24% disagree). Women aged 16-24 are more split, with 31% agreeing with this statement, and 26% disagreeing. Overall 39% of men agree with this and 26% of women.
- Perceptions of what women view as the most important characteristics in a partner vary: When asked what they believe the top five most important characteristics for women are when considering a male partner, overall Britons are most likely to say honesty (57%) and sense of humour (56%). Men aged 16-24 believe that women prioritise attractiveness (50%) and financial status (39%, while the same proportion also say a sense of humour is valued). Men aged 25-34 are also more likely to say that women prioritise financial status (48%) over other attributes. However, women aged 16-24 are actually more likely to say they consider a sense of humour (60%), kindness (53%) and communication (53%) to be more important.
- Young men most likely to say that they have at least one positive male role model: Contrary to the current widespread media narrative about role models for young men, 76% of men aged 16-24 say they have at least one positive male role model in their life – higher than the male average of 54% (while overall, 65% of women say they have a positive male role model in their life).
- Half (51%) of men aged 16-24 agree that “we have gone so far in promoting women’s equality that we are discriminating against men”, compared with 35% of Britons overall. In addition, 46% of men aged 16-24 and 51% of men aged 25-34 agree that men are being expected to do too much to support equality (compared with 30% of the public overall).
Read more.
