Marie Claire

CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos Stars animation


Why mums prefer Clooney to Beckham

George Clooney, Celebrity news, Marie Claire

Potential mums are attracted to men with husky voices because it is a sign of strength, dominance and good genes, according to new research.

Women at their most fertile are drawn towards deep-voiced men, such as George Clooney, because they see them as better hunter-gatherers and protectors.

However, once a baby has been born it's a different story, with new mums favouring a partner with high-pitched tones, like dad-of-three, David Beckham.

A squeaky voice is taken as a signal that the man will make a good father.

Dr Coren Apicella and Dr David Feinberg made the discovery whilst spending six months studying members of the Hadza tribe of Tanzania.

'Women who were breast-feeding had a stronger preference for high-pitched male voices, whereas women who were not breast-feeding preferred lower-pitched voices,' they said.

'As testosterone is considered a costly signal associated with dominance and low paternal investment, women's preferences may reflect a trade-off between securing good genes and paternal investment.'

The experts also found that the male tribesmen were more likely to fancy high-pitched women as it suggests they are subordinate and feminine.

'Men's preferences for higher-pitched female voices are probably due to an evolved preference for markers of fertility.'  

Bad news for Dot Cotton!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE NEWS

Wednesday 3 December 2008


Have your say ...

IPC Media Limited owner of marieclaire.co.uk will collect your personal information solely to process your request.

Rate this ...

Rate this content

Thanks, your rating has been counted!

  • Current rating:
  • 5/5



April Subscription offer