By Tamlyn Canham
Candice Modiselle says prioritising physical attraction does not make you “shallow”.
The TV presenter says women are often taught that they need to look beyond their partner’s appearance.
“I can’t believe I used to guilt myself out of prioritizing physical attraction because I was repeatedly told it was ‘shallow’ of me. A damn shame,” she tweeted.
I can’t believe I used to guilt myself out of prioritizing physical attraction because I was repeatedly told it was “shallow” of me. A damn shame.
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) June 16, 2021
Some of Candice’s followers agreed, saying it is hard to date someone you are not attracted to.
But some people thought the tweet was vain.
One Twitter user says what matters most is how your partner treats you.
“Ebile it’s the ones you’re not attracted to that will provide & protect you always. Attraction ain’t s**t.
Another woman slammed Candice’s post, saying that type of thinking “is for kids who haven’t experienced life”.
But the former ‘Generations: The Legacy’ star disagreed.
“Absolutely not. We’re allowed to want what we want, without people thinking it’s okay to invalidate that. Too many women settle for what’s on the menu and not what they genuinely want and knowingly deserve. I won’t be one of them meiskat,” she replied.
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Absolutely not. We’re allowed to want what we want, without people thinking it’s okay to invalidate that. Too many women settle for what’s on the menu and not what they genuinely want and knowingly deserve. I won’t be one of them meiskat. https://t.co/ySnsOfnZwX
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) June 16, 2021
It’s tricky, baby
Candice added in a separate tweet that it is “tricky meeting someone that ticks all the boxes but you’re just not physically attracted to them”.
Note my use of the word “tricky”. Not “impossible” or “deal breaker”. Just “ tricky”.
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) June 16, 2021
Candice says while looks are important, it is possible to fall for someone who you might not be physically attracted to at first.
Not necessarily. It’s like being in a situation where you had no intention of pursuing something with someone romantically, but the more you get to know them, you start seeing qualities that you’d like in a potential partner, but you just aren’t physically attracted to them.
— Candice Modiselle (@CandieModiselle) June 17, 2021
What studies say about physical attraction
Candice’s comments might have sparked a debate, but studies have proven that physical attraction does matter when choosing a partner.
Young people also consider physical attraction to be important.
Research has shown that “boys rated attractiveness as more important than girls”. But women do consider physical attraction when choosing a partner.
“Attractiveness was the primary factor for boys’ dating desire. Only when a potential partner was attractive, social status became important for boys’ dating desire. For girls, on the other hand, it appeared that both attractiveness and social status of a potential partner were important for their dating desire,” one experimental study noted.
Main image courtesy of Instagram/@candicemodiselle
