- While there are a number of stereotypes when it comes to what's expected of a 'real man', these expectations are often archaic, not very realistic, nor particularly fair.
- However, a new study suggests there seems to have been a shift in these old-fashioned expectations and gender roles, at least in the eyes of women.
- Researchers from Belgium carried out a survey that showed women are actually more attracted to family-oriented men to those who are focused on their careers.
Whether in the eyes of scientists, women, or men themselves, there doesn't seem to be any clear or definitive answer to what makes a man "a man".
While there are a number of stereotypes when it comes to what's expected of a "real man", these expectations are often not very realistic or fair and — more often than not — are pretty outdated.
For this very reason, a Belgian team of researchers decided to tackle this question of what, according to women, a man needs in terms of personal qualities him in order to be considered a candidate for long-term partnership.
Classical gender roles put to the test
So what and how is a man "supposed" to be? Rational or emotional? Career-focused or a self-sacrificing family man?
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Researchers from Belgium recently carried out a study that was published in Springer Nature.
The scientists interviewed 87 heterosexual female students about their desires in and expectations of their "ideal partner".
What young women want in relationships
The survey showed that a family-focused man is perceived by young women as being more attractive than a career- and work-oriented man.
This result may suggest that, perhaps, what we considered to be deeply entrenched and long-standing gender roles may now be changing.
Another survey within the same study showed that a sociable and family-oriented man generally corresponds more closely to the expectations of a good potential partner for future "life planning". This was particularly the case the more career-oriented a woman was.
One proposed explanation for this is that a man who attaches more importance to his family than his career is likely to be a better father, and is therefore more likely to be supportive and involved in everyday family life.
In a world where more and more women pursue careers, it looks like the "family man" is becoming an increasingly desirable option among women.