A lot of good points in the comments section. My definition of a jerk in this case is a man that disrespects a woman... and yes it goes the other way too.
Self-confidence is sexy... I really don't care so much of what a person looks like as much as their inner qualities and how they carry themselves. People who are happy and successful in life also tend to have a good level of self-confidence and self-esteem. If this is what is considered to be a "jerk", then yes it's not very hard to see why men and women would be attracted to these types. However, self-confidence does NOT mean a big-ego; or a nasty, manipulative, and abusive personality. To me those are the real jerks.
Also being self confident does not mean that a man can't be "nice" to a woman and sensitive to her feelings. What it DOES mean is that the man sets healthy boundaries for himself and doesn't tolerate someone stepping over those boundaries w/o good reason.
PUBLIC OPINION > Women Are More Attracted to Jerks
SodaHead Living
2012/05/21 13:00:00
You know the old addage, "Nice guys finish last." Well, the converse is also said to be true... "Jerks finish first." Especially when it comes to love. (Or at least illusory love.) We don't need to present you with "recent studies" to convince you that jerks often come out ahead with the ladies. From imaginary a-holes (James Bond, Don Draper) to real-life reprobates (Charlie Sheen, Jesse James), it seems like the odds are stacked in their favor. We asked the public if it was true.
Unfortunately for you sweethearts out there, most people feel that women are, in fact, attracted to a-holes. Why is that? There could be a variety of reasons. Some suggested it's the result of a woman's relationship with her father; some point to low self-esteem. Others pointed out that guys who are physically attractive are naturally more able to get away with it.
Men Are Convinced
Not surprisingly, men were way more likely to think women go for jerks. Many female commenters blamed it on "other women," but one admitted, "I'm attracted to that kind of person, guy or girl actually. But, I wouldn't stay with them. Yeah, it can be exciting to be with them, but in the long run, I normally find their personality disgusting and break it off."
Drinkers Don't Deny It
What do James Bond and Don Draper have in common? A stiff drink, among other things. However, we're not saying alcohol has anything to do with being a jerk. In fact, if drinkers are more likely to think women are attracted to jerks, it might suggest that drinkers are a bit resigned to the idea. Maybe spending time in a bar, as a nice guy or a jerk, it rings more true.
First-Hand Experience
The demographic that was most convinced that women are attracted to jerks was the divorcees. That should be telling. Presumably, most divorcees have come to a significant negative conclusion about someone they were once very fond of. Based on the results of this poll, there's a good chance that conclusion has something to do with the topic at hand.
If you'd like to vote on this question, dig deeper into the demographics, or engage in existing discussion about the topic, visit our poll about jerks. We'd love to hear from you!
Top Opinion
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ReindeerWS6 2012/05/22 00:19:52
Thanks ladies!
What is a "jerk?" Who are fictional "jerks." Not all versions of 007 are what I would consider "jerks."
I'm going to use movie/animated/comic references, because that's what I know:
Batman could be considered a "jerk," but he has more fans that Superman, or at least more "vocal" fans, who tends to be far more upright and "good."
The Question also could be considered a "jerk." I adore him, though.
Jack Sparrow could easily be considered a "jerk." I mean, he leaves the woman he claims to be in love with on an island? And he toys with another guy's girl.
Iron Man... just... Iron Man.
I won't even touch the Prince Zuko fanbase, which spans all ages, even into adulthood.
House. Definitely a jerk, but a brilliant jerk, which allows many people to overlook that jerk quality.
Heck, we can go "Classical Period" on this and talk about the mythology of Aphrodite (a married woman) and Ares. Zeus was a huge jerk, too, and got TONS of play.
And ladies love him. Which proves my point.
If we go by the dictionary definition of "an unlikable person," then Question could be to someone. I adore him, but he's certainly an acquired taste, for those of us who, like Huntress, are drawn to "eccentric charm."
As for Tony Stark, he's certainly unlikable. Though, the primary reason he likely gets tons of women is the fact that he's rich and powerful. Rather like how most guys will overlook a crappy personality if a girl's hot, a woman will forgive a lot of things if a guy is a prize outside of his personality (status, looks, etc.).
If we go by the Jerk Index and All Girls Want Bad Boys on tvtropes, well, the list gets considerably longer, or considerably shorter as it becomes much less of a "Your Mileage may Vary" type deal.
Self-confidence is sexy... I really don't care so much of what a person looks like as much as their inner qualities and how they carry themselves. People who are happy and successful in life also tend to have a good level of self-confidence and self-esteem. If this is what is considered to be a "jerk", then yes it's not very hard to see why men and women would be attracted to these types. However, self-confidence does NOT mean a big-ego; or a nasty, manipulative, and abusive personality. To me those are the real jerks.
Also being self confident does not mean that a man can't be "nice" to a woman and sensitive to her feelings. What it DOES mean is that the man sets healthy boundaries for himself and doesn't tolerate someone stepping over those boundaries w/o good reason.
Bad boy + tatted up= sexy! just sayin!:D haha
Don
women seem to enjoy basket cases as the mothering aspect has them believing they can fix their man.