In the age of dating apps and swiping preferences, a new study by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that the children of attractive parents tend to earn more than those from less aesthetically pleasing couples. Titled “The Economic Impact of Heritable Physical Traits: Hot Parents, Rich Kid?”, the research investigates the relationship between parental attractiveness and the financial success of their offspring.
The study, which examined data from the United States and China, as well as the global billionaire demographic, focused on subjective attractiveness assessments rather than objective measurements. Rather than relying on facial symmetry or mathematical calculations, the researchers considered evaluations from individuals to gauge attractiveness.
The findings revealed a noteworthy correlation: for every standard deviation above the average looks of their parents, a child’s annual earnings increased by over $2,300. Economist Daniel Hamermesh, a key contributor to the report, highlighted that attractiveness could be seen as an inherited asset, contributing to enhanced income across generations alongside conventional assets like property and savings.
Hamermesh emphasized that better-looking individuals are more likely to achieve financial and professional success throughout their lives. This advantage, he explained, stems from both the inherited attractiveness and the potential financial advantages bestowed upon the child by good-looking parents.
Having researched the link between success and attractiveness for over a decade, Hamermesh consistently found that attractive individuals are more likely to secure employment and receive higher salaries compared to their less-attractive counterparts. He underscored the underestimated role of looks in determining one’s chances of success.
Despite the somber nature of the findings, Hamermesh likened this phenomenon to other forms of discrimination, stating, “It’s exactly the same as any other kind of discrimination.” However, he expressed hope that increased awareness of biases toward better-looking individuals could lead to corrective measures.
Hamermesh advocated for consciousness in combating discrimination, asserting that awareness could mitigate the detrimental impact of biases. He believed that making people aware of such biases is crucial in fostering a fairer society.
In the United States, there is a push for the extension of anti-discrimination laws to cover individual attributes. New York took a step in this direction last year by introducing measures to prevent discrimination based on weight in housing and employment.
While the study sheds light on the economic impact of attractiveness, it raises ethical questions about the role of looks in determining success and the potential perpetuation of inequality across generations. As society becomes more conscious of such biases, there is hope for proactive measures to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all individuals, irrespective of their physical appearance.
In the age of dating apps and swiping preferences, a new study by the US-based National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that the children of attractive parents tend to earn more than those from less aesthetically pleasing couples. Titled “The Economic Impact of Heritable Physical Traits: Hot Parents, Rich Kid?”, the research investigates the relationship between parental attractiveness and the financial success of their offspring.
The study, which examined data from the United States and China, as well as the global billionaire demographic, focused on subjective attractiveness assessments rather than objective measurements. Rather than relying on facial symmetry or mathematical calculations, the researchers considered evaluations from individuals to gauge attractiveness.
The findings revealed a noteworthy correlation: for every standard deviation above the average looks of their parents, a child’s annual earnings increased by over $2,300. Economist Daniel Hamermesh, a key contributor to the report, highlighted that attractiveness could be seen as an inherited asset, contributing to enhanced income across generations alongside conventional assets like property and savings.
Hamermesh emphasized that better-looking individuals are more likely to achieve financial and professional success throughout their lives. This advantage, he explained, stems from both the inherited attractiveness and the potential financial advantages bestowed upon the child by good-looking parents.
Having researched the link between success and attractiveness for over a decade, Hamermesh consistently found that attractive individuals are more likely to secure employment and receive higher salaries compared to their less-attractive counterparts. He underscored the underestimated role of looks in determining one’s chances of success.
Despite the somber nature of the findings, Hamermesh likened this phenomenon to other forms of discrimination, stating, “It’s exactly the same as any other kind of discrimination.” However, he expressed hope that increased awareness of biases toward better-looking individuals could lead to corrective measures.
Hamermesh advocated for consciousness in combating discrimination, asserting that awareness could mitigate the detrimental impact of biases. He believed that making people aware of such biases is crucial in fostering a fairer society.
In the United States, there is a push for the extension of anti-discrimination laws to cover individual attributes. New York took a step in this direction last year by introducing measures to prevent discrimination based on weight in housing and employment.
While the study sheds light on the economic impact of attractiveness, it raises ethical questions about the role of looks in determining success and the potential perpetuation of inequality across generations. As society becomes more conscious of such biases, there is hope for proactive measures to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all individuals, irrespective of their physical appearance.
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