Many men who I have known have asked the question "what do women really want?" In my experience, this question seems just as common from women in regards to men. As to what this answer is for either case seems universal in some circumstances, but is contingent upon culture in others. Let us examine further.
First, human beings seem universally attracted to clear skin. Historically, we evolved to be attracted to mates who are healthy and free of parasites and disease. Blotchy, boiled or lesioned skin indicates disease or poor health and is thus avoided by potential romantic partners (Heine, 2016).
Secondly, humans are universally attracted to symmetry of face and body. Symmetry is when both sides of the face and body are identical when compared side by side. Asymmetry is often a sign of poor genetic makeup, making it an unattractive trait in a partner. Indeed, symmetry is so fundamental to reproduction, that even other animals pursue symmetrical mates (Heine, 2016).
Third, humans seem attracted to average faces. Average refers to size of and distance between parts of the face. We do not like faces that are disproportionately large or small in certain aspects (Heine, 2016).
Despite these universal aspects, many attractive features vary by culture. Attractive traits that are unique to certain cultures encompass a list to long to describe here.. However, these traits seem to very depending on what is valued in that culture. For example, cultures which hunt regularly value more masculine men while cultures who do so less do not regard masculinity as important. Western cultures value thin, anorexic body types in women while other cultures prefer fuller, curvy women (Heine, 2019). Such is the case with many other appearances and traits. As such, when one asks what the other gender wants, it appears the answer, in most cases, lies in culture.
References
Heine, S. J. (2016). Cultural Psychology (3rd ed.). United States: W.W. Norton & Company Inc.
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