SEXUAL ATTRACTION: EARLY EXPERIENCES OF INTERCOURSE

A critical review of the evidence suggests that the age at which intercourse starts is mainly governed by the genetic blueprint as modified by earlier sexual and emotional experiences. Personality development and social skills have to be sufficiently well developed to attract a partner but their availability for sex and emotional exaggeration are also important ingredients.

On balance girls think they are looking for a romantic relationship and boys for a physical one. Girls generally are hoping for their search to end in security, while boys are looking for adventure, but there are probably more girls around today in an adventurous frame of mind and boys in a romantic one.

Emotional and sexual attraction are complex issues of which we know only a few dimensions. Variations in taste between individuals ensure that almost any man or woman will be attractive to someone of the opposite sex. Hairy women, for example, often believe themselves to be unattractive but some men prefer them. Physical differences and even disabilities can be attractive to others. Physical attractiveness is the most important factor to young adolescents and to adults looking for brief affairs. Distinguishing emotional attraction from the physical is mainly an adult skill.

For women particularly, how attractive they feel greatly influences how attractive they are. A good morale is vital to one’s sense of attractiveness.