Average Is Just Fine

Average Is Just Fine

While we all seem to want to find and date the most attractive person possible, what happens to all the "average-looking" people? Do they grow old and live alone, depressed and isolated, because there's nothing about them that sets them apart from other people? According to the Lillenfield text, that's not the case since being average is absolutely fine. You don't have to look extraordinarily unique at all, since one major factor as to why we are attracted to one another is facial symmetry. This basically means we tend to choose a partner with a relatively balanced, proportional face in contrast to one with overly large eyes, or a huge nose, or tiny ears.

As we discovered in discussion using the faceresearch.org site, combining two or more seemingly average or even what we would consider unattractive people will generally create someone attractive. So why do we like average more than exotic? From a biological standpoint, an average face means less genetic mutations, diseases, or abnormalities. But can we really base the healthiness on how balanced our face is? Does having a big nose mean you're more prone to a certain disease? Does having closer set eyes mean your kids are more inclined to have some genetic mutation? Mentally, we also tend to choose almost anything--not just a boyfriend/girlfriend--because it seems "average" and therefore, simpler.

Looking at the visual examples in this article, "The Science of Attraction: What Makes A Beautiful Face?," you can see how those whose faces are more or less equal--proportional and symmetrical--are the better-looking ones. Although I think facial symmetry is an important factor in being attractive, I also feel that media and other external influences affects our perception of what is and isn't beautiful. If we didn't have magazines and TV showing hot celebrities, I'm certain young teens and adults wouldn't aspire to look exactly like them, or to be with someone like them.
http://realdoctorstu.com/2011/03/16/the-science-of-attraction-what-makes-a-beautiful-face/