Why women still prefer a wealthy man with muscles

MEN are often accused of being shallow about what they look for in a woman.

But it seems women themselves can be just as superficial, with muscles and money topping their list of desirable traits, a study claims.

The observations come from research into images on TubeCrush, a website on which women post photos of men they’ve taken secretly on the London Underground.

Women can then comment – or ‘pay homage to the hommes’ – under images of what the website calls ‘guy candy’.

Signs that a man is rich – such as a flashy watch or an expensive suit – are considered highly attractive by site users, as are big muscles.

Images of so-called new men holding a baby are far less popular, along with skinny or nerdy types.

Critics say TubeCrush represents ‘reverse sexism’ and would not be tolerated if men secretly took photos of women on the Tube and commented online about their looks.

The study by academics from Coventry and Aberystwyth universities, published in the journal Feminist Media Studies, said: ‘White male privilege is still an attractive quality in men.’

Lead researcher Adrienne Evans, from Coventry University’s Centre for Postdigital Cultures, added: ‘It’s a problem because although it appears as though we have moved forward, our desires are still mostly about money and strength.’