norms continue to play a significant role in mod-
ern humans' selection of mates (Jones, 1996).
Human Mate Selection Applied to Adults with
Visual Impairments
It goes without saying that individuals who
are visually impaired (that is, those who are blind
or have low vision) are at a distinct disadvantage
in the selection of a suitable mate or in being se-
lected as a suitable partner. In the process of se-
lecting a mate, females with visual impairments
are unable to judge many of the characteristics of
males. For example, without sight, it is nearly im-
possible to judge the physical size of others. Ob-
viously, other physical characteristics are also not
readily evident to an individual who cannot see.
The other characteristics, such as potential as a
high quality parent, the social status of the male,
level of intelligence, and the potential for provid-
ing for the family, are difficult to judge without
sight, but are not as difficult as judging physical
characteristics. In order to judge these character-
istics, a female must be involved in social situa-
tions in which these characteristics may be as-
sessed. Given that many individuals who are
blind or have low vision are socially isolated,
these characteristics are made much more diffi-
cult to judge because of the lack of opportunity.
The absence of sight, obviously, puts a
male who is visually impaired at a distinct disad-
vantage, also. Because his basis for judgment is
mainly on the physical characteristics of potential
mates, such as physical shape, size of eyes,
quality of skin, length of hair, and condition of
dentition, a man who is blind or has low vision
finds himself at an obvious disadvantage in the
search for a suitable mate.
Both men and women with visual impair-
ments are in very disadvantageous situations.
Men who are visually impaired may not be viewed
as potential mates by sighted females because
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