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List Things Similar Good Background Men Woman Family

Id ESLPod_0041_CN
Episode Id ESLPod 41
Episode Title Understanding Men and Women
Title What a Guy Wants in His Future Wife
Text

In 2012, the New York Times published a list of the 18 "traits" (characteristics) that men most want in a woman they'd like to marry. What's interesting is how this list of 18 things compares to a similar list from more than 70 years ago, 1939. Some things are the same, but a few things are very different now compared to earlier "generations" (time periods).

Here's the list from 2008, and in parentheses, is where this trait "ranked" (appeared on the list) in 1939:

- "Mutual attraction" (each person likes the other) and love (#4)

- "Dependable character" (reliable personality) (#1)

- "Emotional stability" (behaves reasonably) and "maturity" (acts like an adult, not a child) (#2)

- Education, intelligence (#11)

- "Pleasing disposition" (good personality; nice) (#3)

- "Sociability" (easy to talk to; relates well to others) (#12)

- Good health (#5)

- "Good looks" (physically attractive) (#14)

- Desire for home, children (#6)

- "Ambition, industriousness" (wants to achieve good things and works hard) (#9)

- "Refinement, neatness" (sophistication and not messy) (#7)

- "Good financial prospect" (can make a lot of money) (#17)

- Good cook, housekeeper (takes care of the home) (#8)

- Similar education background (#15)

- Favorable "social status" (from a "good" family or well-respected group) (#16)

- Similar religious background (#13)

- Similar political background (#18)

- "Chastity" (not sexually active prior to marriage) (#10)

Four of the top five qualities are the same in 2008 as they were in 1939, although they have changed somewhat in importance. A man still wants a woman who is mature, stable, dependable, and who loves him as much as he loves her.

Topics Relationships + Family

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