Attraction

In class we did an activity about what we find attractive. For short-term relationships the list generally consisted of physical appearance attributions, while for the long-term relationships the list was comprised of more values and personality traits. I think that for the most part this is pretty right on, but I do think there is more to long-term relationship attraction. I think that to get to the long term relationship, there has to be a little bit of the short-term attraction features. This might sound shallow, but I think that to maintain a long-term relationship there has to be some physical attraction. Personality and values are much more important, but I don't think that two people can spend there whole life together while they try to convince themselves of their outward attraction towards each other. I think it could cause some fidelity issues if you aren't physically attracted to your husband or wife. For example if a wife doesn't think her husband is good-looking, she might be more likely to notice all the attractive men around her and start wishing her husband looked more like "that" man, and I would think that would put some strain on a relationship. Simply put, I wouldn't want to be with someone who wasn't attracted to me, because that would not make me feel good about myself in my relationship. My long-term relationship list would consist of traits such as, respectful, supportive, accepting, motivated and excited to do something with his life, makes me laugh, leads a healthy and active lifestyle, someone who I can have fun with and honestly, at least as tall as me and attractive. He doesn't have to look like Brad Pitt or Taylor Lautner, but just attractive in my eyes. Therefore, while it's is very important to be attracted to your partner's inward traits and personality, it is also important to be attracted to your partner physically.