A study by Colorado State University found that men who like cats are less likely to get a date.
A total of 708 women aged 18 to 24 were surveyed in the online experiment.
Scientists showed the women photos of men pictured with and without a cat.
When shown a cat-free picture of one of the subjects, 38-percent of women said they were likely or very likely to date him, while 37-percent said they’d consider a serious relationship with him.
But when shown a picture of the same man holding a cat, those numbers dropped 33-percent for each category.
Meanwhile the proportion of women saying they’d never consider getting involved with him rose from 9-percent to 14-percent.
The study found that women perceived the man holding the cat as “less masculine” and ultimately “less dateable.”
Authors said the findings are likely the result of stereotypes in American culture that label “cat men” as less masculine.
Researchers said it is important to note however that the women were asked if they considered themselves a dog person, cat person, neither or both, which also appeared to influence their decision.
Posted – 6.22.20