Why Do Men Prefer Light-Skinned Women? Do Women Think Light-Skinned Men Are More Handsome?

I really think that any sentence depending on the clause "men prefer"--or "women prefer"--is probably fatally flawed. Maybe 'some men' prefer light-skinned women; others will have quite the reverse preference, and still others won't care.

I must really be out of the loop. I never heard this statistic before, If women think light-skinned men are more handsome, whoa, I'm home free, but obviously women are looking for more than my snowwhite skin! What attracts us to another person is quite interesting and neurobiologically quite interesting.

It's far beyond the color of skin. Well, what do I know? I guess there's a sizable portion of folks who think differently.

Wow! Isn't that intereresting? Of course, it is.

Ultimately, what makes a person attractive is something deep inside the person who is considered attactive. The attractive person gives off an energy that screams, " take a look at me. I am very attractive.

" try it out for yourself. Give voice to that message from inside your soul and then be amazed at how many people are suddenly attracted to you! Serious!

I don't know where you get your information, but your source is flawed. Skin color does not matter. The most beautiful woman I ever dated was a medium dark brown.

I wanted to marry her, but I didn't move fast enough. But it really depends on the personality and the values. It doesn't hurt if she's cute, but these are secondary.

I've know a lot of sleezy, unethical, materialistic or otherwise unattractive women in beautiful packages, both dark and light. It's what's inside that counts. My wife is a medium light brown and she sometimes wishes she was lighter.

I keep telling her it doesn't matter. She's beautiful the way she is.

I do not prefer any skin colour. I look for the person within. I have dated women that were very dark skinned, & they are lovely people.

I have also dated light & white. I was always more interested in the person, not the colour. I think that it is sad that skin colour is apparently so important.

The best example of this is the now late MJ. A man of incredible talent, who had nothing to prove to anybody, & should have been very secure within himself. Yet he spent a fortune trying to change his image because he was not happy with how he looked.

How he looked did not change the fact that his music is great. The same principle should be applied to people all over the world. It does not matter the skin colour, it is the person within.

Wow, amazed that skin color is even an element of attractiveness. Personally, I find all people attractive and beautiful. I am white and married a white guy that I thought was gorgeous.

Then, when we divorced, I married a black man who was incredibly talented and attentive. I'd love someone who wore a green mask if he were as awsome a personality as in the movie "Mask" :-)Anyhow, while I was engaged to a black man, I saw that black women seemed to resent me and so did white men. It's too bad that racism is really the issue ~ not what is truly lovely and about love between two people.

I've also observed that many black men seem to prefer white blondes! What's the deal? I'm a white brunette!

Lol :-).

I like all shades of beautiful so I would have to say we don't.

I don't particularly like this question because any man who only likes a woman for what she is on the outside without getting to know who she really is isn't much of a man, he's a phony. Beauty is as beauty does and a person should mostly be judged by who they are not what they look like. I would never date or even talk to someone ignorant enough to only date me because I'm light-skinned because I also happen to be intelligent, kind and creative too.

It really boils down to what you think is attractive. My beautiful fiancée is a light caramel colored woman. The personality has a lot to do with it too.

You can have a beautiful complexion, and be a rotten person inside. As for me, a woman has to be beautiful on the inside and the outside.

You know, the funny thing is that while human skin is only 1/8th of an inch think, yet people have as hard a time getting past it as they would a 2-foot think wall of steel! I can't believe that this is even an issue. We like to claim to be looking for a (potential) SOULmate, but we still focus on PHYSICAL attributes!

I have a theory that it is simply a matter of being brained washed and following the set rules of a few who are in charge of telling the majority what beauty is. And it might just be personal choice or self esteem issues that makes us human so vulnerable to appearances and so dedicated on transforming ourselves according to what the media tells us is acceptable.

I'm a woman and I don't think light-skinned men are more handsome. Surely everyone is unique in what they look like and whom they find attractive!

By Patty Inglish, MS published 24 months ago.

I have to agree AsiaFace. My wife is Black and is not light skinned. I see quite a few Black men dating and marrying darker skinned women.

However, I would contend that there is a bias against darker skinned people and women in general, but that's not limited to just men.

I think it just depends on the person. Who they are attracted may be just their personal preference and not necessarily meaning to discriminate against a certain skin tone.

As for me I prefer the bronze skin beauties of Southeast Asia. The light skinned women look sickly in comparison. As for what women see in light skinned men I wouldn't know.

I don't believe skin color makes you hansome or ugly, it's a non sequiter.Peter.

In my opinion beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and if a person is influenced by what others think than they will make their decisions based on others peoples perceptions which is never a good thing.

It's funny what kind of answers you get on questions like this. People hate to sound racist. I think it's because the colour white relates to soft .

What I mean is that light skin looks softer and white women tend not to be as overbearing as other races. I've dated black and asian women and they seemed to be more aggressive in their day to day lives whereas men usually want a woman that is softer, less overbearing and white also represents cleanliness so I think that factors into it also.

That doesn't reign true for all men. I for one don't have a preference. I believe beauty is beauty regardless of what shade, race, or color.

Every woman has something about her that makes her beautiful. I have learned that when you start placing stipulations on physical attributes, you could cause yourself to miss out on someone perfect for you.

I think in non-white cultures this question is really a big deal. Women in higher classes don't work and are therefore lighter. If a country has a colonialist past with european countries this becomes a bigger issue because europeans being the conquerors transferred their ideals of beauty on to the conquered people.

I used to date a woman who was an off white greenish color. She was alive, but looked like a dead person in the right light, yet I like her despite her ghoulish looks, oh, she didn't wear makeup either,... real green tho. Neat person too.

I'm alright with any color. They have to be alive tho.

Not me! I don't like or dislike people on the basis of their skin coloring. I rather look for their inner qualities.

I do not think light skinned men are more handsome. I find the tall, dark and handsome men attractive than the fair skinned ones.

I do not, coffee and cream is my choice, in fact I do not think anyone has a preference, it is who the person is inside that clinches the relationship.

A good tan is really nice. Some girls can pull of the light skinned look really well but usually a NATURAL tan is nice.

They do not, why do you think tanning salons are doing so good.

Sabor latino mami! - I preffer ligth skin women, I feel atraction to their green/blue eyes and red/blonde hair =).

Again a question without sufficient parameters. Women of what race? If you are talking white vs sunglasses white then I would say that men don't, at least any men that I know.

If you are talking ethnic girls mocha vs espresso I would say because they usually have finer features and silkier skin. Its also not just men in studies men and women thought lighter skin was more desirable.

Well it really depends on personal preference and upbringing. For instance, if a kid grows up watching disney flicks with all those (primarily white) beautiful princesses, then he may be more inclined to prefer lighter skinned women. There may also be, for light-skinned men, an immediate sense of aesthetic similarity with light-skinned women.

Then of course there is the racism issue and various societal or family pressures which affect the actual attraction less than simply who the person chooses to have a relationship with. Of course, there are plenty of men who prefer darker skinned women and in my personal experience I haven't encountered the stereotype this question addresses very often. Skin color shouldn't be the first thing you notice about a woman, or anyone for that matter, and it shouldn't be a sole determination of who you have relationships with.

Unfortunately, there is still an underlying idea that light-skinned women are more attractive. I could easily cite this issue as a result of slavery. But the media continues to perpetuate the idea that real "blackness" is somehow unattractive or less desirable.

Times certainly have changed. But this undercurrent is still very prevalent in our society.

I am attracted to brown eyes. Raven dark hair. Skin has never been a big issue with me.

How many years?

It is called prejudice- an unfavorable opinion or feeling formed beforehand or without knowledge, thought, or reason. Do all men feel this way? No!

Many people are prejudice against their own race. It's sad but true. As the song goes, 'Free your mind and the rest will follow.Be color blind.

Don't be so shallow'.

The tone of a woman's skin does not determine her physical attractiveness, but enhances it, whether she be fair, dark, coffee or in between. Much more goes into physical attractiveness than skin tone. Attractiveness is a combination of factors that includes color.

Some of the most physically beautiful women I have ever seen are dark skinned, but that is not nearly enough alone, to make them worth knowing. Fredricka Whitaker on CNN is gorgeous! The Fox Network ladies are nubian goddesses.

I think it is a matter of preference really I think you could find someone of any color that you could connect with.

I disagree. Men prefer darker skinned women, but lighter skinned are great too. It really doesn't matter unless it ties into their religion, but there is no overall group of like and dislike.

Women honestly maybe judge character a little better, they are looking for a man that treats them right and not what skin they like...Again, it's all based on who you are. I like ilovehandmade's answer.

Growing up in a family with mostly dark-skinned members I know that when a light-skinned baby was born that it was extra-special just because it was unexpected and out of the ordinary. So naturally I was attracted to my wife who has blond hair and blue eyes because she was the opposite of what I had been around my entire life.

The idea that woman like skinned woman, is a commercialized stereotype, any formal research would show you, man like healthy woman. But the thing is that healthy woman a usually skinny (although not too skinny).

I personally don't care about how dark/light my boyfriend/husband was because your outer appearance can be gone tomorrow, so that shouldn't matter. All that matters is the personality!

Bcoz men think girl will more fatty after marriage.. So they select light-skinned girl... Abt girl she always choose according to her figure..

I have entertained women from Bulgaria to Baton Rouge and skin has never played a part in the entertainment.

Not really, Then I would have stayed single forever without a man who can love me truly just for my heart. I'm attracted to dark skinned guys more. They are sexier from my point of you.

I don't think the color matters in love.

I feel the beauty of a person lies within and not in the color / complexion or features as they will one day fade away but the inner beauty will exist till the end!

This is a stereotype that has been fueled particularly in the Black American community, thankfully the global standard of beauty is becoming ethnically broader. It is shameful that we still determine beauty based on superficial attributes and not actions, morals or intentions. I hope my answer is helpfulHave a beautiful day (pun intended).

I would have to say that in some areas I am considered lightskinned and I usually do stand out in those places. I am considered darkskinned in other areas and hey I still look pretty good there too. However if you are asking me what I prefer, lets see... My husband is a very light skinned Italian man so I would say I prefer lighter skin and his wife (that would be me)is a medium brown African American so I guess you would say he prefers darker skin.So I think that means that you simply like what makes you happy and who cares what other people think.

When you fall in love, his skin color will mean nothing to you, it will only be what is in his heart.

Well as color is only on the outside, it should not matter what skin color any Lady is. It really is down to the individual person. To me it does not matter what color someone is, it is personality and what is in there heart that really matters.

I'm not 100% on the light-skinned bandwagon, but I most definitely prefer it overall in my dating history as well as personal likes.

Color adds beauty to an individual,some people may like chocolate color and some other like fair or light skinned color. But in my opinion outside color doesn't really matter what matters most is the color of an individual soul and the beauty inside of person.

It's all a misconception! People are people. If men prefer light skinned women, then I'm with the wrong guy.It doesn't mean you get treated better by a man because you are light skinned.

Confidence and self respect are important. I'm wise enough to know it's not about skin color, it's about how a person treats you and how you treat others in life! By the way......both of my parents are light skinned blacks, I'm not biracial.

I am lilly white and am in the Philippines right now. I love the brown color of women here. Asian eyes and brown skin really turn me on.

I also like that my dollar goes a long way here but is a topic for another discussion. And most Pinays here love foreigners with their light colored skin. The hottest selling skin care product here is a lotion will help make their faces white!

Trying to figure out what other people like will just keep you from taking action. Just ask him/her out. If you are rejected because of your skin, then why would you want to be with that person?

Besides preferences like that change as we grow.

I think everyone has there own preferences, You would think people prefer dark skin that's why they are out in the sun and at the tanning beds Always striving to look better, but not striving to be better people.

As the child of a very light skinned father and medium brown skin mother, I think the answer is very simple. It's a matter of personal taste. I mean, I am very fair skinned, and I get hit on by all kinds of men.

Some are very dark, some are very light. Heck, I've have been hit on and even dated white men. I think it's a matter of taste.

Are light skin men more attractive? Again it's a matter of taste. But instead of getting caught up on the looks aspect of a person, shouldn't we be looking at the INSIDE of a person.

I mean you could be the most handsome light skin man God created, but if you don't have a good heart and soul, isn't it all just wasted?

I have seen all types of men that I thought were attractive, my personal preference however is dark skin men. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I think the classic preference to light skin, comes from the same reasons chubby women were once venerated. A long time ago, when everyone worked hard, spent time in the sun and didn't eat much, a light skinned and ''well fed" woman was a sign of aristocracy or at least good health and wealth. I love women with fair skin and freckles, but it doesn't limit my tastes to white gingers either.

Women that are dark skinned want to be light skinned and these days they can do that with whitening creams. Women that are light skinned seem to want to be darker skinned and I don't believe there is an easy way for them to do that and avoid skin cancer from the sun. Men don't really care about the color of a womans skin - it's the loyalty in her heart and her ability to be a good life partner that contributes and even perhaps controls many aspects of the family life while still remaining feminine all the time.

If you are referring to black men, it is more likely the manifestations of self-hatred.

I think some men assume that 'handsome' is a big factor for a woman looking for a partner - it might be for a select few but it has less impact than you assume in your question. Do gentlemen prefer blondes? As a brunette, it doesn't offend me if they do.My partner is shorter than me even though I claimed I could never be with anyone I was taller than, here we are, 15 years later...The point I'm trying to make is that this goes on all the time, about a whole range of things.

I don't believe this is a racial matter, I believe that some men (and women) have preconceived idea's in their heads about what they do and don't find externally attractive BUT more often than not we prove ourselves wrong when we get to know the inner person (whether we initially find them attractive or not).

Its mostly about features, personality, and body type. I have noticed though, that usaly men go for the woman that is rarer or opposite of them in a way. For example many hispanic guys loves blondes.

Many white guys love latinos. Many asian guys like caucasians. Many black guys like hispanic woman.It kind of makes since becuase the whites may want someone darker, so their offspring will have more melanin, and more protection from the sun.

While the blacks amy want someone that is lighter, so there offspring will be able to better pick up vitamin d in the winter, and will do better in colder climates. Maybe there is a biological reason to why opposites may attract. Maybe each race has there strenths, and needs another race to help there weakneses.

When 2 opposite races come togheter maybe it equals the ultimate race. Maybe thats also why people find mixed people so attractive, beaucase they carry the genes and traits of multiple races.

If you are an Asian, they find lighter skinned people more attractive than darker-skinned ones. In most of South East Asian countries, you will be surprised with the whitening products in almost every corner of the store. However, when you go to Europe or North America where most white people are, you will be amazed with the tanning products flooding in the store and lines of tanning salon, as much as the flooding of whitening products in some Asian countries (in reverse), and whitening services/salon.

Very funny, editmasters! :)Let’s be honest, we have preferences! All of us do.It doesn’t mean we will marry or date someone based on the way they look or what kind of skin color they have!

I don’t know what is scientific data on this topic, but personally, I always had a preference for men with darker hair and skin. In my silly mind, it represents strength and masculinity. I guess for some men it would be the opposite in terms of femininity…unless they like masculine looking women if it matters at all.

I also think it has a lot to do with our parents and what they looked like while we were growing up. Men will probably prefer women looking like their mom when they were boys and vice versa for women.

Well I can't speak for what men prefer and I think that question is highly subjective anyway as no two people will prefer the exact same thing. As far as whether woman think light-skinned men are more handsome that would be a matter of personal preferrence. I personally have always been more attracted to men with tan or slightly darker skin.

Well I am no respecter of color anymore. I have the hots for a Filipino and I am a black woman. But still love a chocolate man.

I love the way his skin glistens when he sweats. I am chocolate too. I love the way my skin shimmers when I put oil on it.

But now a days if his skin is healthy I don't care what color he is at all; because none of that really matters if the person inner beauty is fleeting. I prefer a man with a beautiful smile and a laugh that make the atmosphere fun. I am a sucker for a beautiful smile and a happy disposition.

Maybe 20 years ago or so but with the masses (white & black) embracing r &b,rap,and trip hop boundaries are being crossed. Iv'e dated all colors and ultimately settled with one my same skin tone. More importantly, the initial attraction is our personalities and likes/dislikes and we're from different continents.

As long as they're hot, the skin color doesn't matter.

Ha, I've been waiting forever for pale to come in style!

I think it is more of the 'opposite attracts' thing. If you are a person who is accustomed to seeing people in darker shade let's say you're from Asia, people regard light skinned women/men as physically attractive compared to other tones. I myself think that light skinned people are more attractive as that has been the thing that was dicatted by the culture, by our culture.

But still at the end of the day, it breaks down to one's preference, it varies.

I disagree that men prefer light-skinned women.

Most people are attracted to the opposite of what they are. I am a brown woman, I like a man my color but I always end up with a lighter skinned man. I have heard that some men think if you are with a lighter skinned women you have the better of the pick.

Not always the case. It goes back to the days when whites treated certain blacks "better" because they had skin tone that was closer to their own, it also goes back to how comfortable that made the white people feel. In this day in time my thoughts are people are people.

You never know who or what you are going to get until you get to know that person. Never judge a book by its cover!

Its psychology, women in any animal are the one's who has more to invest in a suitable mate, meaning one who could provide for them better and have off springs who would grow up to be successful, thus to women I don't really think skin color plays a big role as much as financial status does because if you are financially secure and successful then you are more likely to have a secure future which is what women want more than anything. Men on the other hand, are the creatures that compete to get chosen for the spot of suitable mate and since they compete to get the girl then they expect physical beauty more than internal beauty. In general it has been like that since the dawn of time.As for why light-skinned than dark-skinned, something that is light in color is always associated with good, beautiful or attractive whereas something that is dark is associated with unattractiveness, or feared, and so on, although that is not the case in every situation.

I can't speak for the men. But I'm a 28yr woman and cute mind you but I actually like guys that are average or even below average best. Ive been this way every since I was little I wanted my future hubby to be chubby with blue eyes and nice to me haha.

Honestly, it depends on what we think of light skin and dark skin. People usually think that white means clean, soft etc... and black means rough, angry, bad personality and more. The truth is this is not true!

I dated both black (light skin and dark skin) and white ladies. I'm black and my skin is softer than my last girlfriend's and she was white and blonde so saying that white skin is softer than dark one is false,Also, I dated black girls. Some of them were calm, nice and careful (drama-free) and others were just full of drama.

Same thing with white ladies so, I think that ladies are all the same. I don't know much about cleanness. Most of my friends are white and they have stuff everywhere in there cars, their dip thing is everywhere, saliva in bottles everywhere.

That's is the peak of dirtiness! Also, their rooms are just dirty. My black friends also have dirty rooms as well as my Asian friends so I think being clean is more about who you are.

I'm freaking clean. I hate dirty people, I hate stinky breath... so, all those ideas about white and black is just false. The first think I look at in a lady is a good personality.

Then, I see how smart the person is followed by her outside look (eyes, smile).

Think light- skinned women are more attracted to men. This is because men are moved with what they see and lighter colors are easily ATTRACTED BY THE EYES. Anyway that doesn't mean they prefer them because after the first attraction and there is no inner quality to compliment or sustain the relationship, of course the relationship breaks.

I Too Want To Know This Answer. I Live In Colorado And To Be A Dark Skinned Woman It's Hard To Find A Strong Minded Black Man Who Can Accept My Skin Color. I Can Only Speak For The Black Community.

But I Think It's Because It Has Something To Do With Self-Hate. And As Far As Women Thinking Light Skinned Men As "More Handsome" I Can Only Speak For Myself And Say No.

Sounds like you are still stuck in the 60's or 70's move on.

I agree with IndieFlickjunkie. The media helps perpetuate the myth that light skin is more attractive. The fashion magazines, music videos and the entertainment industry in general promote lighter skin women all the time.

Boys grow up with this and that is how many of their preferences develop. Lighter skinned men are promoted too, but not nearly as much. So many talented darker complexioned women are overlooked because of this and it is a shame.

Unfortunately, I don't see this going away until the media starts recognizing talent and stops focusing on complexion.

There are many things that effect person to person attraction or what they prefer. People usually end up becoming attracted to others who similar however, similarity is only important in the beginning of relationships. So the reason why men could prefer lighter woman over darker woman is because darker woman are a minority compared to darker woman.

Television probably effects a lot what is "similar" or what they are attracted too also.

We make our own standard on finding the man or woman that will fit to us in a relationship. Physical appearance, attitude and character, stability of a person is part of our criteria. Physical appearance is a plus plus points for a man or woman who is attractive and beautiful.

Basically, it varies in Culture why men prefer light-skinned women and women think light-skinned men are more handsome. In some countries that majority are dark skinned they will be more attracted to light skinned because it is new to there eyes. Light skinned men or women looks clean, fresh and shining among the rest.

Whatever clothes and dresses they wear it will compliment on their light skinned. In addition, Psychologist believe it is influence by what we called "Role Modeling" on Social Learning. Just because that majority of Movie star is light skinned they tend to associate it in their search for own standard.

Believing that it is more sexier, exciting and fun dealing with men or women who are light skinned.

Where do these statistics come from, was there a poll taken of millions of men, I think it is just of a matter of personal preference, where you live plays a part as to what mens choices are including the fact that some men don't date out side their own race, and then there are men who like all skin types, some men don't know until they have had a variety to figure this out. It is all mixed up in metropolitan area's I see a lot of white men with Asian women and a good amount with black and latino women, is there really a right answer? Why Do Men Prefer Light-Skinned Women?

Some do and some don't and some you just can't tell, some will and some won't and some it's just as well! Some women may think that light skin men are more handsome & some don't. There will be an answer, Let it be!

I don't think men do prefer light skinned women. I think it varies from person to person and place to place. Whatever is valued in that culture.

For example, often in North America people value having a tan, that "sun kissed" look. Spray on tanner is big business! However, in countries like Indonesia, light skin is valued by both males and females.In Bali if your skin is really dark it means you don't have one of the higher paying jobs that keeps you out of the sun, i.e.

A hotel clerk rather than a beach vendor. My friend (male) used to buy whitening cream at the pharmacy in Bali because he said the girls preferred lighter skin. For me, handsome is handsome and good looks are nothing without the personality to back it up :).

Most men prefer light-skinned women, especially in Black, spanic and Asian community. I guess it has something to with men working outside so they get darker and women stay inside so they are lighter. I heard somewhere that women produce less melanin than men in general, meaning if you were to get two people of very close to the same complexion, the woman would be slightly lighter.

I am not sure if it is true. I do not really like light-skinned guys. It seems like women prefer taller, darker, and stronger men.

They don't in Philadelphia. I'm a light skin black and I had lived in Philly (ninth-poorest U.S. City,black majority) for many years. In Philly many dark skin black young adults don't date light skin blacks.My light skin and brown skin young adult black cousins lived in some zipcodes in Philly that have many lecherous sex offenders and none of the black men would date my light skin black cousin and many black men wanted to date my brown skin black cousin.

Sometimes brown skin blacks date light skin blacks in Philly. I've lived in cities that weren't like this. There are few light skin black and dark skin black young adult couples in Philly.

In africa.yes. Unfortunately skin colour does matter. In kenya it is a matter of extremes because there are light skinned and dark skinned african tribes.

Everyone wants to get a kikuyu,taita,swahili guys and girls(i can attest to that. I am a kikuyu and light skinned). This scenario has forced women from dark skinned communities to bleach their skin.

Major freakshow.

Yes, I am also love guys who are light-skinned, I feel they are handsome and energetic to a great extent..

Don't feed the troll. Don't feed the troll. Don't feed the troll.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.