Question about physical attractiveness?

Question

Why do many attractive couples have unattractive children? Likewise, why do many unattractive parents have attractive children? It is something I have observed to be mostly true. It seems to go against the whole concept of attractiveness. Men, in particular, mostly marry for looks. I am assuming they want to make fit babies? But then mostly I have observed unattractive almost sickly children coming from these unions. It is almost like next years crop turning out funky. What is attractiveness even good for, except for a romp in the hay?

Answer 1

There are numerous factors at play here (I will cover a few).

1) Regression to the mean- genetics tends to produce offspring that are proximally closer to the mean than the parents.  This means that attractive (averaged together) couples will have slightly less attractive children than themselves, and the opposite for less attractive couples.

2) Phenotypic variation- even if we could assume that there are genes for beauty (facial symmetry for example), this is no guarantee of beauty, for the genes have an interplay with the environment which can lead to greatly varied expressions of inherited qualities.

3) Subjective interpretation- norms and items of interest for attractiveness are continually in flux, and always rely on personal, subjective, interpretations of beauty.  If more objective measures are implemented (waist-to-hip ratios, facial symmetry, etc.), a better agreement can be attained, but no assurance is made of how valid these would actually be.

4) Anecdotal evidence- saying that "I've seen" is inappropriate to draw conclusions from, although it is wonderful for initiating questions to investigate (... just like this forum).

All of these factors play into the concept of measuring the heredity of attractiveness, which in turn could be thought of as nothing more than a tangential representation of personal fitness (in the evolutionary sense) and receives entirely too much attention in this age of almost assured propagation.

Answer 2

I disagree with your theory. First of all, I have never seen an unattractive baby. They are all cute in their own way. Looks change a lot, some real homely looking children, turned into very beautiful adults. I don't believe physical attractiveness is that important anyway, it is what is inside a person, a good heart and mind, that really counts in life.

Answer 3

I disagree.....I think , perhaps the exceptions stick in your head and you don't see the norm. Plus, alot of young children may grow to be attractive, but not be particularly good looking at a young age....the ugly-duck syndrome.

Answer 4

I remember reading once that beauty is defined by how average a particular feature is.  In other words the most average is the most beautiful.  Structures such as noses shouldn't vary too much from normal or it will be unattractive.  The most unattractive people vary the most in their individual features.  That being said, since attactive people should pass on their normal features, they should have attractive children and that has been my observation generally.  It doesn't work out all the time as you can obviously testify to.

Answer 5

hmm just a theory but maybe because attractive features in an adult is different from attractive features in a baby.  A lot of time cute babies and kids grow up to be ugly adults and ugly babies grow up to good looking Adults.  I think maybe its just that the good looking feature on an adult look weird on a baby.  Like chubby cheeks on a baby is cute but chubby cheeks on an adult not so much.  Skinny  People tend to be more attractive, skinny babies not so as cute.

Surgery could also play a factor

Answer 6

I know what u mean, my friend! I thought I was being silly to ever think of that, and often wondered who else thinks so too!

The other people are not answering the question. Maybe you should have used the term "'superficial"" beauty or attractive physical traits or whatever?? We do know that beauty comes from "inside", but we cannot deny that superficial beauty has its place in society as well.

But I've got to admit, that many times, the babies considered less than average cute, grow up to be more attractive than the cute babies who themselves turn less cute in maturity...

I cannot explain this phenomenon!

Answer 7

I couldn't help but laugh my butt off when I read this question especially your little "added details" extra. (smart people, lol) Well I don't know I mean, there is beauty in everything but I also see your point. It just happens that's why I say that if you look good, then go for an ugly guy. Hey, at least YOUR crop won't go bad!

Answer 8

You know this is a funny question and yes there are ugly babies.  I have seen some that I didn't know what to say when I was looking at them...sometimes the parents nice looking, sometimes ugly.  I think guys just like to hsve a trophy when they go for an attractive wife....just another posession.

Answer 9

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Physical attractiveness is usually just an indicator of physical and mental health. Maybe their kids are not healthy. Too much TV or candy.

Answer 10

Opposites attract......Well , depends on,...........How ugly?!

without the ugly you wouldn't have any beauty , because everyone would look good or the same      ..........so in that case there would be no ugly or pretty ,so there wouldn't be anything to compare it to