Power the ultimate aphrodisiac

Research shows that two-thirds of British men now lust after women in high-powered jobs.

Long gone are the days when the ideal woman was the domestic, stay-at-home type. Now men believe the ultimate woman is a strong, sexy executive. Experts say this is not only due to changing gender roles. Due to economic hardship men may also be taking a more traditionally female view and looking for a “provider”.

Research released this week shows 66 percent of men are most attracted to high-flying females, rising to 71 percent among 30 to 34-year-old men. A girl who is strong, independent and professional is likely to be far more appealing to the modern male, according to the study.

Now 18 percent of men look for a partner who’s fun, 14 percent want a woman who can stand up for themselves and nine percent value spontaneity. A further 35 percent said they liked “bad girls” like Hollywood actresses Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox and Welsh singer Charlotte Church.

Relationship expert Jo Barnett said: “Finances are harder than ever, and men who may once have been scared of a powerful, successful woman have wised up. They are now embracing it, as someone who is financially independent is a very alluring option.

“Also, media have sold us the powerful, executive woman as a sexy image today. Women who have it all have a buzz about them, they are not so readily available and the guys flock to them.”

Research also showed that most women are no longer looking for a knight in shining armour.

Men who display chivalrous and courteous behaviour are now regarded as weak or patronising by one in 10 of the nation’s females.

And for 45 percent, the modern-day groomed man isn’t their ideal either.

One in six now find loveable rogues like Irish actor Colin Farrell and Scottish-born heart throb Gerard Butler more appealing.

And, like men, they are also drawn to ambition – 60 percent of women said they were more attracted to men with high-powered jobs.

Barnett said: “Women are looking for the buzz and excitement to distract them from the mundane life of work, kids, usual. The ‘bad boy’ is a challenge. It works the same for women as it does for men. The harder the game, the more we want to play.”

The research marks the launch of the new computer game The Sims Medieval.

Stuart Lang, marketing director for The Sims Medieval, said: “It’s interesting to see the change in appeal, of men being attracted to high-powered women and more dominant bad-girl types. It shows the evolving position of women in society. These results show that there is still an element of Middle Age mentality in today’s society, with women being drawn to roguish characters. - Daily Mail

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