If we accept that straight women's sexual preference for tall, dominant men has a biological basis, it will be easier to break down cultural norms which reinforce sexism and heteronormativity, says Australian psychologist Beatrice Alba in a recent article.
Photo: [Ryan Hall [https://frogbillgo.deviantart.com/]
When looking for a male partner, many heterosexual women across the world seek out kindness, intelligence, a high-status job and – more often than not – someone taller than they are, Alba says.
Photo: Public domain
One study has even put a number on it, suggesting women are most satisfied with a man on average 21cm taller, while men are most satisfied with a woman 8cm shorter.
Amongst fellow mammals, males are usually larger than female, and when it comes to male-male competition – such as our closest relatives the great ape engage in – the winner of a fight tends to be more successful with mating, Alba says.
The female human attraction to both height – which indicates masculinity and dominance – and stereotypically masculine facial features – which indicate high testosterone – seems to be instinctual and the result of an evolutionary process.
But Alba says she's not on the side of sexism or heteronormativity.
If we recognise we are animals whose brains are built by evolution, we can at least separate the individual, instinctual sexual preferences that are in part beyond our control from the cultural norms which reinforce them, she says.
"I think that would go a long way towards making these particular things a bit less seductive."
Psychologist Beatrice Alba Photo: La Trobe University
Crime statistics show that in 2018 women still have reason to feel less safe than men, but we shouldn't have to live in a society where women feel so in danger that they need protecting, Alba says.
"If we have a culture where we can criticise those [gender] norms that reinforce the desirability of [dominant] males maybe women will feel more comfortable and be more open to the dude on the beanbag reading poetry."
We don't have to be slaves to our biological preferences just as we don't have to be slaves to our instinctual desire for sugary foods, she says.
"Maybe its a little unpleasant to look at ourselves in this way, but if that's the reality, we have to look at it. I don't think it really does us any favours to deny the fact that we are animals and we do a lot of things that aren't really rational."
