How to Marry a Beautiful Woman (Half Your Age)

640px-Cranach_Ill-matched_coupleIf you walk — actually, you’d more likely drive — around Los Angeles, you’ll notice one thing: a lot of successful and wealthy-looking older men with beautiful young women.

No, that’s not his daughter. It’s probably his girlfriend or trophy wife.

A “trophy” is a statue or cup, often made of metal or heavy stone, used as a prize in a contest. If you are the winner, you can show other people your shiny (bright; reflecting light) trophy for them to admire. A trophy wife is a wife whom a man marries as a sign of his success, a beautiful decoration more than a partner in life.

This is true everywhere, right? Successful men marry trophy wives, right?

Not according to a recent study looking at how couples are matched across the United States. By looking at a nationally-representative sample (smaller group that reflects the characters of a larger group or population), a researcher at the University of Notre Dame found that attractive women didn’t mainly (usually) marry wealthy men. Instead they choose attractive men. Overall, she found that attractive men married attractive women, and successful men married successful women.

But how do you account for (explain) all of those successful men with beautiful wives?

The researcher, Elizabeth A. McClintock, concluded (said based her results): [O]n average (generally), high-status men do have better-looking wives, but this is because they themselves are considered better looking — perhaps because they are less likely to be overweight (fat) and more likely to afford (have enough money for) braces (devices put on teeth to straighten them over time), nice clothes, and trips to the dermatologist (skin doctor), etc.”

You often hear people say that Hollywood (the TV and movie business) is out of touch with (not having the knowledge or understanding about) regular people in the rest of the country. For evidence of this, you don’t have to look far to find trophy wives on TV or in films.

So instead of reflecting life in the U.S., Hollywood may simply show what life is like in — well — Hollywood!

– Jeff

Image photo: from Wikipedia 

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17 Responses to How to Marry a Beautiful Woman (Half Your Age)

  1. Dan says:

    Hi Jeff

    Thanks, I was unaware of that term before, thanks for that.

    There is so much to be said on the topic I am feeling overwhelmed.

    First thing coming to mind is that over here those women are more pragmatically called, how do I write that?….

    You know, that word…. that sounds like the place where you go sunbathing, relaxing, where there is sand and ocean waves..Hey, this is like charade, the word guessing game.

    Hey, I have found a typo! What did I win? Shinny instead of Shiny.

    Thanks

  2. Marcos says:

    Hi everybody, Dr. Jeff

    I don’t found the word “chose” the correct is “choose”?
    Posted ” Instead they chose attractive men”, ok?
    I think that those men that I see, around 70s with girls age 20s, still need too much nice clothes, and trips to the dermatologist to look nice enough for a girl like that rs

    Thank you Dr. Jeff

  3. Parviz says:

    Hi Jeff and others,
    Firstly, I’d like to know if your captcha code is sensitive to lower or upper cases.
    Sometimes I write a lengthy post, and because I neglect the lower/upper case situation, I would run into an error, and as a result, the post goes away. I would write in vain.
    Secondly, the topic is a quite tough one. Considering not all men happen to marry a “snow white”, and the number of “snow whites” are limited, they just have to accept the left over.
    Some may argue that “no, no that is not the truth”.
    Of course that is not the truth for many, many of men.
    You know what they say, “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder”
    I sometimes see a very beautiful women with a nothing guy. All of a sudden my mind starts swirling, saying “Oh, God”. But then quickly calm myself, maybe he deserves it.
    You see, any of us has a different definition of being attractive.
    I am not one of those successful men who marry a woman just to boast their success.
    If I am to marry someone, I do for the right thing. Because no matter what other think of my wife I still love her.
    Although, according to some researches, women choose their partner based on one particular characteristic they see in their partner. And afterwards, they start criticizing their partner for that same character. (Mind twisting, Ha, …………..women).
    Thank you,
    Parviz

  4. Tania says:

    Hi! I think the word “shiny” is synonym with the American “shinny”, a new word to me.
    I just know “shiny” after the novel by Stephen King, Shining.

    The verb “to choose” is: to choose, chose, chosen.

  5. Tania says:

    Hi! In my country, almost all the newly riches or successful men leave their wives for a trophy wife.
    Many of them leave the first trophy wife taking a second, even a third trophy wife.
    And they are very proud of them.
    I have recently seen a film on this topic starring Anthony Hopkins.
    Using viagra and practicing gym he wants to keep his young wife.
    It was exactly like in the wonderful but strange picture “The ill-matched couple” by Lucas Cranach from 1500.
    Old practices.
    Excellent contrast in this picture. Many men should see it.
    But I think that it deserves all money to be with a nice and young lady.

    Thank you for the picture and for the topic, of course.

  6. Dan says:

    Hi everyone.

    Thank you for the song by Missing Persons, Walking in L.A.

    First listen, I did not like it, but after the second one and reading the lyrics along, i kind of like it.

    According to the song, if you are walking in L.A., you are kind of a crazy/freak person, a nobody.
    —————————————————————————————————————-

    Dear Jeff, I always try to read the articles you guys link with the post.
    But, when just at the beginnings it reads:

    ” the trophy wife stereotype is largely a myth fueled by selective observation that reinforces sexist stereotypes and trivializes women’s careers”

    I wonder, who talks like that in real life?

    And what about the finding of the research? I am not sure I would agree with all stated in the article.

    The two light detectors I have in my head called “eyes” see things around that are not quite it is pictured in the article.
    And my two sound wave detectors I happen to possess at the side of my skull never hear anybody talking like that.

    Thank you Jeff, have a nice day and try to walk more. We want our dear Lucy and Jeff to be fit, healthy and happy.

    bye

  7. Tania says:

    Hi! Thank you for these interesting lessons from the juridical and histoical field.
    I refer to Miranda v. Arizona case and The Scottsboro Boys Trial.
    Good choise having two English Cafes with the similar vocabulary.
    Many thriller movies use this vocabulary.
    In 1790 the Constitution was approved, and in 1791 the 10 amendaments had been added to the Constitution
    known as the Bill of Rights.

  8. Tania says:

    Hi! May I practice my English?
    The Fifth Amendment (Amendment V) to the U.S. Constitutionis is part of the Bill of Rights and protects against unfair
    treatment in legal processes.
    In Miranda v. Arizona case the Court held that any statements made by defendants while in police custody
    before trial will be inadmissible , unless the police first warn the defendants that they have
    (1) the right to remain silent,
    (2) the right to consult an attorney before being questioned by the police,
    (3) the right to have an attorney present during police questioning,
    (4) the right to have a court-appointed attorney if they cannot afford one,
    (5) the right to be informed that any statements they do make can and will be used in their prosecution.

  9. Tania says:

    Hi! The Sixth Amendment concerns the legal rights of accused people to prove that they are innocent.
    (1) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial,
    (2)The right to a lawyer to help prove that she is not guilty.

  10. Marcos says:

    Thank you Tania

    Now I see. Sorry, my English has one year old, a child rs

    Marcos

  11. Betty says:

    Hello to Everyone!

    Thank you Dear Jeff.

    Do you mean that men need to make themselves younger and better looking in order to find and then eventually marry beautiful women half their age?

    I can see that some of our friends above has expressed anger towards the idea of a beautiful woman marrying a man twice her age.

    Most people think that those poor young women marrying rich old men are after the old men’s money. Very often, I wish those old men donate their money to good charitable organisations which helps poor families, instead of using money to bait those poor girls.

    It is not easy to know the reason behind each individual case, but I can give you an example which explains why sometimes it is inevitable that old men marry beautiful young wives.

    Many people know about a social problem that in China many boys dare not to date girls because they are too poor to get married. Times flies, young men become old men, but not poor any more – time to find a wife.

    Should these old bachelors marry old spinsters? Or they must find young women who genuinely don’t mind their age and able to build healthy families with them? Don’t forget people grow old in age but not in heart. An old man can be stronger and cleverer than a young man. He can be a very good father too.

    Unfortunate for the old spinsters, unless they are extremely attractive, rich and clever, no man will marry them. My advice for old spinsters: don’t be sorrowful because old men all walk pass you for all the beautiful young women. There is more in life than a marriage.

    Please take care now everyone.

    Thanks again Jeff.

    Betty 🙂
    P.S. Look at the picture in this article again. The beautiful young woman has put her left hand in the old man’s bag or pocket to get something. Am I right?

  12. Dan says:

    Hi Betty

    Needless to say again how lovely it is reading from you again. I always appreciate your views/thoughts on things.

    I am not sure you are referring to me when writing that someone expressed his/her anger at young women marring older folks.

    If that’s the case, I just want to clarify I am extremely open minded, I always try not to be judgmental, which it’s not always easy to achieve.

    The only thing I would argue though, is that often times there is a lot of finger pointing at the older men dating young women (see for instance the case of our ex prime minister Berlusconi)

    But what about all these girls that are willing to do everything in order to get easily what they want? Again, I not judging. I do not care.

    Everyone is free to do what they want with their body as long as they are adults of course.

    You are right! I did not see the picture. The woman is stealing from the man’s bag.

    And, the man looks like a lizard.

    Thank you Betty.

  13. Aécio Flávio Perim says:

    What is the matter with an old man marries a younger woman and an old woman marries a yonger man? There is no age for love. Once he is a man and she is woman, love is possible. I don’t agree when the marriage takes place for money. Today the world is living a new time when men as well women can choose their partner for a life together and all I can wish is a happy life for them.
    Aecio

  14. emiliano says:

    Coming back from Berlin it is nice to say something about the subject.

    It is the rule, old men with some money like to marry younger women or girls who are in
    necessity of stablished their economy or situation in a foreign country, in their own country
    or every place they are living or they have came to look for a better way of life.

    But is it a better way of life what they do marrying these old simple silly men that want to
    change a wife, a couple, or a girl friend of their own age for another one with better body,
    nicer face, just to be proud of their trophy?
    Or even more simple, because they can´t make love with the older one as there wasn´t real
    love between them, only sex attraction that goes off as soon as time pass and the body or
    the face just adquire wrinkles and weight.

    That could be a good question

    For some girls or women necessity is the force that make them to marry old men here in
    Spain. Lot of them that have came from South America, Russia or the East countries want
    a better situation getting the Spanish nationality, a monthly amount of money earn by
    the new Spanish husband, or just to be integrate in the new society.
    I have seen hundred of these couple in Torrevieja, Alicante, in Madrid or every other Spanish
    city I have visited.

    In your country the reason could be different, ambition a career as an actress, or may be
    only love for the money that is their reason to support an old man who gives them luxury
    and stability.

    All these stories are as old as humanity, without virility these elderly men, or even not so
    elder, want a beautiful and attractive young woman who again encourage them their
    sexual yearning and its own pride of dominant males carrying the best females of the tribe.

    Of course is not my case, I love my wife, but as it is natural I like to see a beautiful girl or
    woman walking by the street, at the theatre or wich ever place I could be. My eyes looks
    these so beautiful woman always with respect by their personality but also admiring their
    apparently beautifulness that moves always something on my own like a vulgar normal
    male, but what I have clear on my mind is that “beautifulness is inside de person and the
    other is a time nice shell that soon or later will be deteriorate.

    My best dear friends.

    emiliano (coming yesterday from beautiful great Germany)

  15. Tania says:

    Hi! I like very much all comments on this topic from all our dear blog friends.
    I agree with the following:
    “Don’t forget people grow old in age but not in heart.”,
    “There is no age for love”.

  16. Tania says:

    Hi! Dear our “correspondent from Berlin”, Emiliano, like Dan said,
    we are waiting for news from Berlin.
    Your opinions, impressions, all you saw…

  17. Aécio Flávio Perim says:

    Nothing better than that good smell of young people in the night. Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die
    Aecio

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