Facebook Pixel
Searching...
English
EnglishEnglish
EspañolSpanish
简体中文Chinese
FrançaisFrench
DeutschGerman
日本語Japanese
PortuguêsPortuguese
ItalianoItalian
한국어Korean
РусскийRussian
NederlandsDutch
العربيةArabic
PolskiPolish
हिन्दीHindi
Tiếng ViệtVietnamese
SvenskaSwedish
ΕλληνικάGreek
TürkçeTurkish
ไทยThai
ČeštinaCzech
RomânăRomanian
MagyarHungarian
УкраїнськаUkrainian
Bahasa IndonesiaIndonesian
DanskDanish
SuomiFinnish
БългарскиBulgarian
עבריתHebrew
NorskNorwegian
HrvatskiCroatian
CatalàCatalan
SlovenčinaSlovak
LietuviųLithuanian
SlovenščinaSlovenian
СрпскиSerbian
EestiEstonian
LatviešuLatvian
فارسیPersian
മലയാളംMalayalam
தமிழ்Tamil
اردوUrdu
Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love

Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love

by Barbara Pease 2010 261 pages
3.71
2k+ ratings
Listen

Key Takeaways

1. Love and attraction are driven by evolutionary biology and brain chemistry

Love is about chemical reactions in the brain.

Evolutionary imperatives. Our ancestors' need to reproduce and ensure survival of offspring has shaped modern human mating behaviors. The brain releases specific chemicals during different stages of attraction and bonding:

  • Lust: Driven by testosterone and estrogen
  • Romantic love: Characterized by high dopamine and norepinephrine levels
  • Long-term attachment: Involves oxytocin and vasopressin

Brain regions involved. Neuroimaging studies have identified key areas activated during love and attraction:

  • Caudate nucleus and ventral tegmental area: Associated with reward and motivation
  • Amygdala: Processes emotions and sexual arousal
  • Prefrontal cortex: Involved in decision-making and impulse control

Understanding these biological underpinnings can help explain seemingly irrational behavior in love and relationships.

2. Men and women have different motivations in relationships

Women bait men with the offer of sex; men bait women with the offer of resources.

Evolutionary psychology. Men and women have evolved different strategies for ensuring reproductive success:

  • Men: Seek to maximize offspring by mating with multiple partners
  • Women: Focus on securing resources and support for raising children

Modern implications. These ancient drives still influence behavior today:

  • Men tend to prioritize physical attractiveness and sexual availability
  • Women often place greater emphasis on a partner's status, resources, and commitment

Recognizing these differing motivations can help both genders better understand their partner's needs and behaviors in relationships.

3. Physical appearance plays a crucial role in attraction, especially for men

Men are silently aware that their value on the mating market is largely dependent on their ability to gather resources, not how they look.

Visual cues. Men are highly responsive to visual stimuli indicating youth and fertility:

  • 0.7 hip-to-waist ratio in women
  • Clear skin, symmetrical features
  • Signs of health and vitality

Women's efforts. Women invest significant time and resources into enhancing their appearance:

  • Makeup, hair styling, and fashion
  • Cosmetic procedures and plastic surgery
  • Diet and exercise regimens

While physical appearance matters to both genders, it tends to be a higher priority for men when selecting partners. Women, in contrast, often place greater emphasis on a man's status and resources.

4. Resources and status are key factors in female attraction to males

Men see women as sex objects. Women see men as success objects.

Status indicators. Women are attuned to signs of a man's ability to provide resources:

  • Career success and earning potential
  • Education level
  • Ambition and drive
  • Social status and connections

Evolutionary basis. This preference stems from ancestral women's need for support during pregnancy and child-rearing:

  • Men with resources could better protect and provide for offspring
  • Status often correlates with access to resources and social influence

Modern women, even those who are financially independent, often still find these qualities attractive in potential partners.

5. Casual sex and affairs serve different purposes for men and women

Men can't make love and answer questions at the same time. So no talking, please, ladies.

Male perspective. Men often view casual sex as:

  • Opportunity to spread genes
  • Ego boost and conquest
  • Physical pleasure without emotional investment

Female perspective. Women may engage in casual sex for:

  • Evaluating potential long-term partners
  • Boosting self-esteem
  • Seeking better genes for offspring

Affair motivations. Reasons for infidelity often differ by gender:

  • Men: Sexual variety and ego gratification
  • Women: Emotional connection and feeling desired

Understanding these differing motivations can help partners address relationship issues and prevent infidelity.

6. Communication and emotional needs differ between genders

Women want to be made to feel sexy, loved, cherished, and adored. They don't like to feel they are being taken for granted.

Female needs. Women often prioritize:

  • Emotional intimacy and connection
  • Verbal expressions of love and appreciation
  • Non-sexual physical affection

Male needs. Men typically value:

  • Sexual intimacy and frequency
  • Respect and admiration
  • Space for independent activities

Bridging the gap. Recognizing these differences can improve communication:

  • Men: Make effort to verbalize feelings and show affection
  • Women: Understand that silence doesn't always indicate lack of caring

Couples who learn to meet each other's emotional needs are more likely to maintain satisfying long-term relationships.

7. Improving your "Mating Rating" can increase your attractiveness

Write a detailed list of exactly what things you want in an ideal partner and then become socially active so you meet as many people as you possibly can.

Self-improvement. Enhance your appeal by focusing on:

  • Physical fitness and grooming
  • Career advancement and financial stability
  • Developing interesting hobbies and skills
  • Cultivating a positive attitude and confidence

Strategic presentation. Tailor your approach based on gender preferences:

  • Men: Highlight ambition, resources, and commitment potential
  • Women: Emphasize youth, health, and fidelity cues

Expand your options. Increase chances of finding a compatible partner by:

  • Engaging in social activities aligned with your interests
  • Trying online dating platforms
  • Being open to introductions through friends and family

Continuously working on self-improvement and actively seeking opportunities to meet potential partners can significantly boost your dating success.

8. Long-term relationship success depends on shared values and compatibility

Couples who last have the same or similar core values and beliefs.

Core values. Alignment in key areas is crucial:

  • Attitudes towards raising children
  • Financial management and goals
  • Religious or spiritual beliefs
  • Lifestyle preferences and priorities

Compatibility factors. Consider:

  • Communication styles
  • Conflict resolution approaches
  • Intimacy needs and expectations
  • Long-term life goals

Beyond initial attraction. While chemistry is important, lasting relationships require:

  • Mutual respect and support
  • Shared commitment to growth
  • Ability to navigate challenges together

Couples who take time to discuss and align on these fundamental aspects are more likely to build strong, enduring partnerships.

9. Understanding gender differences can lead to healthier relationships

To be happy with a man, you must understand him a lot and love him a little. To be happy with a woman, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all.

Embrace differences. Recognize that men and women often have:

  • Different communication styles
  • Varying emotional needs
  • Distinct approaches to problem-solving

Avoid stereotyping. While generalizations can be helpful, remember:

  • Individual variation exists within genders
  • Cultural and personal experiences shape behavior

Mutual effort. Both partners should strive to:

  • Learn about gender-specific tendencies
  • Communicate openly about individual needs
  • Make compromises to meet each other halfway

By appreciating and working with gender differences rather than fighting against them, couples can build stronger, more satisfying relationships based on mutual understanding and respect.

Last updated:

Review Summary

3.71 out of 5
Average of 2k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love explores biological and psychological differences between men and women regarding sex and relationships. Reviews are mixed, with some praising its scientific approach and insights, while others criticize it for promoting stereotypes and outdated views. Readers found the book entertaining and informative, appreciating its humor and practical advice. However, some felt it oversimplified complex issues and reinforced gender stereotypes. Overall, the book sparked discussion about gender dynamics in relationships, though its conclusions remain controversial.

Your rating:

About the Author

Allan Pease is an Australian author and motivational speaker known for his work on relationships and body language. Despite lacking formal education in psychology or related fields, he has established himself as a self-proclaimed expert. Pease began his career as a musician and life insurance salesman before transitioning to speaking and training. His breakthrough came with the bestselling book "Body Language," which led to international recognition and subsequent publications. Pease gained popularity in Australia during the 1980s as a TV analyst for political debates, where he would assess contestants' body language and overall performance. His work, often co-authored with his wife Barbara, focuses on interpersonal communication and relationships.

Download PDF

To save this Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love summary for later, download the free PDF. You can print it out, or read offline at your convenience.
Download PDF
File size: 0.40 MB     Pages: 11

Download EPUB

To read this Why Men Want Sex and Women Need Love summary on your e-reader device or app, download the free EPUB. The .epub digital book format is ideal for reading ebooks on phones, tablets, and e-readers.
Download EPUB
File size: 3.10 MB     Pages: 8
0:00
-0:00
1x
Dan
Andrew
Michelle
Lauren
Select Speed
1.0×
+
200 words per minute
Create a free account to unlock:
Bookmarks – save your favorite books
History – revisit books later
Ratings – rate books & see your ratings
Unlock unlimited listening
Your first week's on us!
Today: Get Instant Access
Listen to full summaries of 73,530 books. That's 12,000+ hours of audio!
Day 4: Trial Reminder
We'll send you a notification that your trial is ending soon.
Day 7: Your subscription begins
You'll be charged on Nov 22,
cancel anytime before.
Compare Features Free Pro
Read full text summaries
Summaries are free to read for everyone
Listen to summaries
12,000+ hours of audio
Unlimited Bookmarks
Free users are limited to 10
Unlimited History
Free users are limited to 10
What our users say
30,000+ readers
“...I can 10x the number of books I can read...”
“...exceptionally accurate, engaging, and beautifully presented...”
“...better than any amazon review when I'm making a book-buying decision...”
Save 62%
Yearly
$119.88 $44.99/yr
$3.75/mo
Monthly
$9.99/mo
Try Free & Unlock
7 days free, then $44.99/year. Cancel anytime.
Settings
Appearance