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CHOOSING A MATE
In 1989 a study a psychology professor at the University of Michigan in the USA conducted a study to find out about the mating habits of cultures all around the world. He wanted to see if there were any differences between what men and women in different cultures look for when choosing their mates.
What he found was interesting. He discovered that women in every culture he studied think exactly the same when it comes to choosing a husband. And although men's preferences are different from those of the women, they also think identically to one another, regardless of the culture they live in.
The study covered a wide range of subjects. The professor surveyed 10,000 people in 33 countries on all continents. Each person was asked to consider 31 different characteristics that they might look for in a husband or wife. They were asked to rank the personal characteristics from the most important to them to the least important. The characteristics included such things as attractiveness, intelligence, kindness, diligence, etc.
As it was expected, men everywhere mentioned attractiveness and youthfulness as top priority while women said they wanted husbands who were a little older and had money. For most women attractiveness was not very important. If given a choice between a good provider and a man who was just handsome, 99% would choose the provider.
There was almost no difference in the responses received from men and women in cultures as diverse as the Zulus of Africa, the Brazilians, and the Chiness. As for the reason for the similarities, reserchers came to the conclusion that it all had to do with reproduction and family life. These are issues that men and women from all cultures have to face. It's a matter of carrying on the race and survival.
Women want men who are prosperous because they'll be better able to support a family. Men, on the other hand, want women who are young, attractive, and healthy, all signs of fertility. Whie there are a few differences, men in most countries want their wives to be virgins. Some cultures, such as those in Asia, look upon women who are not virgins as dirty and impure. The historical reason could be that if the bride is not a virgin, she could be carrying the child of another man.
The late 20th century saw a lot of change in public morals and attitudes toward sex. Premarital sex has become common, and some women are choosing not to get married until they're older. This trend is so prevalent in Japan that many Japanese men are having to import wives in order to get married.
QUESTIONS
1.Why do you think men and women of all cultures think the same way when it comes to choosing a mate? Do you think others of your sex think the same way as you do?
2.What's your opinion on being a virgin before marriage? Answer the following questions. a. Is it more important for women than for men? Why or why not? b.Would you marry a man (or woman) if you knew he or she had had many sexual relationships in the past? Why or why not? c. Would it matter to you if you found out that your mother was pregnant with you before she and your father were married? Why or not?
3.What age is a good age for people to get married? Should the age be different for men than for women? Why or why not?
4. What do you think about remaing single? a. Should everybody be required to get married? Why or why not? b. What is the situation in your country? Is everybody expected to get married? If so, what do you think of that?
5. which type of lifestyle has more problems-- the married life or the single life? What are some of the problems?
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