A recent survey indicates a significant shift in women’s preferences when it comes to romantic partners, with many favoring emotionally available men over traditionally dominant figures. Conducted for the female-led dating app Chyrpe, the poll reveals that 70 percent of women would choose pop star Harry Styles, known for his emotional openness, over Jason Statham’s tough-guy persona from the 2003 action film *The Transporter*.

The survey explored women’s attraction to different male archetypes, highlighting a preference for partners who are comfortable expressing their feelings and willing to let their significant others take the lead in the relationship. In contrast, characters known for their “dark and moody” traits, such as Marlon Brando’s Terry Malloy in the 1954 film *On the Waterfront*, were less appealing to respondents.

Claire Honeywell, a 43-year-old from East London, expressed a common sentiment among participants: while figures like Brando and Statham project a powerful image, their “tough-guy act” might be challenging to sustain in a long-term relationship.

The survey also found that only a small fraction of women—six percent—desire a partner who is “dominant,” and just 14 percent consider “assertiveness” an important quality. According to relationship expert Gigi Engle, these results illustrate a broader cultural shift. “Traditional ideas about attraction are shifting,” Engle said, noting that men have often been socialized to believe they must be dominant and controlling to be desirable, while women were expected to accept these dynamics. She added that women increasingly seek the autonomy to define relationship roles on their own terms.

Overall, the findings underscore evolving attitudes toward gender roles and emotional expression in romantic partnerships, with a growing emphasis on mutual understanding and flexibility.