Many people assume that men prefer women with large breasts. Researchers have attempted to justify this belief with the concept of “reproductive readiness,” the idea that evolution has shaped men to prefer women on the larger side because big breasts produce more milk, which contributes to infant survival and helps perpetuate humanity. But this argument has two serious flaws. Breasts of any size can successfully nurture infants. And studies have shown that men’s breast-size preferences are surprisingly unpredictable. Various studies have concluded that men prefer breasts that are small, medium, large, or extra-large.
Men aren’t the only gender obsessed with women’s breasts. Women also have complicated feelings about their chest appendages, and not just their size, but also their shape and nipple coloring.
Recent studies shed new light on the gendered psychology of women’s breasts.
Which Gender Feels More Satisfied with Women’s Breasts?
Some women can’t feel attracted to men unless they’re taller than the women are. Similarly, some men seek women with a certain breast size: small, medium, or large. However, most men like any breasts that emerge from bras, especially those attached to their female partners. That’s what UCLA and Cal State, Los Angeles, researchers found in an enormous online survey of 52,227 heterosexual adults. Among the men, a majority of 56 percent expressed feeling “satisfied” with their partners’ breasts.
But among the women, only 30 percent felt the same about their own. Younger and thinner women fretted that theirs were too small. Older and heavier women worried about sagging.
Women Spend Big to Change Their Chests
About 70 percent of women—more than two-thirds—express at least some breast dissatisfaction. Millions do something about it. Many women wear size-enhancing padded bras, size-diminishing minimizer bras, or cleavage-enhancing Wonderbras. Many women also choose clothing that focuses observers’ attention either on or away from their breasts or cleavage.
In addition, what’s the leading cosmetic surgical procedure in the U.S? Breast alterations. The American Society of Plastic Surgery estimates that every year, American women undergo more than 300,000 breast augmentations and 100,000 reductions. Women who want larger breasts typically choose increases of one to two cup sizes, usually from A or B to C or D. Women who opt for reductions typically request one or two cup sizes smaller.
Breasts also raise sexual-political issues. Some feminists have accused plastic surgeons who perform augmentations of pushing large breasts over those of medium size. That’s a false accusation, at least in the Netherlands. Dutch researchers presented different-sized three-dimensional breast models to 45 plastic surgeons, 28 women about to undergo augmentations, and 100 disinterested others, and asked their preferences. The women about to have surgery preferred larger breasts than either the surgeons or the other folks.
For Many, Shape Is as Important as Size
In discussions of women’s breasts, people tend to focus on cup size. That matters, but so do other attributes. Polish researchers showed 128 adults (76 women, 52 men, age 18 to 45) dozens of photos of topless women whose breasts varied widely in size and shape, and asked them to select those they considered most attractive. The women preferred average-sized breasts; the men preferred slightly larger. Both men and women preferred photos of women with the firmest breasts, the kind young women have, the least droopy or saggy. In this study, breast shape was found to be as important as size.
Areolar-Nipple Pigmentation Also Matters
New Zealand researchers used eye-tracking technology and photos of topless women to test the hypothesis that viewers would prefer larger breasts, and that, independent of size, lightly pigmented pinkish nipples and areolae would attract the most eyeballs and be rated most attractive. The researchers guessed wrong on both counts. Variations in size had no significant effect on how long or how intently the study participants viewed the women’s chests. And the photos of women with light nipples and areolae were rated less attractive than those with darker pigmentation.
In a similar study, Australian investigators showed photos of topless women to 200 adults, half men, half women. Both genders rated small to medium-sized breasts most attractive—if they included pink or light brown nipples and areolae. The study participants rated large breasts most attractive if their nipples and areolae were darker brown.
Other Factors Also Affect Women’s Feelings About Their Breasts
Most men readily admit that their feelings about women’s breasts are sexual. Women’s breasts rank among men’s favorite sex toys. This brings to mind an adage: When men and women shower together, the women’s breasts get very clean.
In contrast, women’s feelings about their breasts have a great deal to do with how they think men feel about them. In the study mentioned earlier, 56 percent of the men said they felt satisfied with their partners’ breasts, which means that 44 percent felt less than satisfied. Many women who opt for breast augmentation say their male partners encouraged—or pressured—them into it.
Clothing fashions also contribute to women’s breast psychology. Fashion designers generally favor breasts on the small side, which is why so many fashion models have A or B cups. But fashion is by no means destiny. Designers may favor petite chests, but breast augmentations are three times more popular than reductions.
Finally, women’s mental health affects their feelings about their breasts. Women who feel sufficiently dissatisfied with their boobs to have cosmetic surgery may also feel dissatisfied with other aspects of their lives, particularly if they struggle with anxiety and or depression. Several studies agree that compared with women who keep the breasts genetics gave them, those who choose augmentation are significantly more likely to suffer mental health challenges.
Gentlemen, Provide Reassurance
Issues around breast size, shape, and coloring are complicated and defy common cultural assumptions. Men and women both have strong feelings about women’s breasts, but beyond that, the genders differ. Women may find this hard to believe, but the majority of men like their partners’ breasts just as they are. If you’re a man who feels that way, you’re likely to earn points with your honey if you mention it more often.