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Father absence, parent-daughter relationships and partner preferences

Boothroyd, L.G.; Perrett, D.I.

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Authors

D.I. Perrett



Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not the father absence literature can be successfully used to predict patterns of female preferences for facial masculinity in young adulthood. Predictions were made based on the effect father absence may have on the development of (a) sexual strategy, and (b) female ‘condition’, and were tested in two independent samples. Results for the link between father absence and masculinity preference were mixed; across both studies, however, daughters who reported low quality relationship with parents during childhood showed lower masculinity preference. These results predominantly support the condition dependence predictions that early family stress should be associated with reduced ability to compete for mates and thus preference for less masculine men. Additionally, in Study 2, family background was associated with facial preferences and age of menarche only amongst women who were not currently in happy and committed relationships, which suggests that there are systematic physiological and/or psychological differences between women for whom father absence is and is not related to long term outcomes.

Citation

Boothroyd, L., & Perrett, D. (2008). Father absence, parent-daughter relationships and partner preferences. Journal of cultural and evolutionary psychology, 6(3), 187-205. https://doi.org/10.1556/jep.6.2008.3.3

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Sep 1, 2008
Deposit Date Jan 23, 2014
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Evolutionary Psychology
Print ISSN 1589-5254
Electronic ISSN 1589-7397
Publisher Akadémiai Kiadó
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 6
Issue 3
Pages 187-205
DOI https://doi.org/10.1556/jep.6.2008.3.3
Keywords Father absence, Parent-child relationships, Attraction.

Files

Accepted Journal Article (192 Kb)
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Copyright Statement
The archived file in DRO is not the final published version of the paper. Boothroyd, L.G. and Perrett, D.I. (2008) ’Father absence, parent-daughter relationships and partner preferences.’, Journal of evolutionary psychology., 6 (3). pp. 187-205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/JEP.6.2008.3.3





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