"Men Want Something Else"

Article Review # 101737

English > Analysis
Gender and Sexuality > Gender Studies

An analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of David Buss' arguments in his chapter "Men Want Something Else," within "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating."

1,516 words () | 4 sources | MLA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper critiques the chapter, "Men Want Something Else," within "The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating" by David M. Buss, in which he writes about the criteria men apply when choosing a mate. The paper shows how Buss brings together the two areas of research, the evolutionary psychology of human mating strategies and conflict between the sexes. The paper also looks at the strengths and the weaknesses of Buss' arguments.

From the Paper:

"Thus, when Buss (1994) can find evidence of all men liking similar things, then that is biology. When he cannot, then that is social - but it is linked to biology in a way that men are unconscious of. But whichever way you cut it, it is all about having as many babies as possible. Men in western cultures like slim women because slim women have higher status, which in turn gives higher status to the man who has her on his arm, and which in turn enables him to better protect his children, thus better passing on his genes. This is simplistic, and ignores many realities of our society. For example, take the stereotypical "deadbeat dad." What biological impetrative is he following when he runs off with his secretary, leaving his children living in poverty? How has his gene pool made it through the centuries?"

Sample of Sources Used:

Buss, David M. (1994). "Men Want Something Else." The Evolution of Desire: Strategies of Human Mating. New York: Basic Books, 49-72.
Fausto-Sterling, Ann. (1999). Is Gender Essential? Sissies & Tomboys: Gender Nonconformity & Homosexual Childhood. Ed. Matthew Rottnek. New York: New York University Press. 52-57.
Fausto-Sterling, Ann. (2000). Sexing the Body: Gender Politics and the Construction of Sexuality. New York: Basic Books.
Scott, Joan. (1998). "Gender: A Useful Category of Historical Analysis." Gender and the Politics of History. New York: Columbia University Press: 28+.