Ugly kids more likely to become criminals

by J.D. Griffioen (Subscribe to J.D. Griffioen's posts) Feb 17th 2006 3:15PM

Though having an ugly kid may win you a prize in an ugly baby contest, it might also get you a little criminal if he or she doesn't pretty up eventually.

According to a study discussed in yesterday's Washington Post, not only are physically unattractive teenagers likely to have a hard time getting dates, they're also more likely to grow up to be criminals. Two economists tracked the life course of young people from high school through early adulthood to determine that "unattractive individuals commit more crime in comparison to average-looking ones, and very attractive individuals commit less crime in comparison to those who are average-looking." (The researchers claim to have come up with a relatively objective way of judging attractiveness)

The researchers found that the long-term consequences of being young and ugly were small but generally consistent. Attractive guys were less likely to have committed seven crimes including burglary and selling drugs, while the less attractive were consistently more likely to have broken the law. Very attractive high school girls were less likely to commit six of the seven crimes, while those rated unattractive were more likely to have done six of seven. Other studies suggest that less attractive people have a hard time getting and keeping jobs, which may contribute to delinquency.

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Comments (11)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ann adams 2-17-2006 @ 3:57PM

I almost sent this to BB yesterday and then reconsidered. It makes sense although it doesn't apply straight across the board. Psychopaths are quite often attractive, as are child molesters.

The article doesn't focus on them however.

I'm sure these kids were tormented all the way through school and were last hired, first fired. It would especially apply to the "average" kids whose self-esteem by that time is usually in the cellar. A genius is usually employable.

It doesn't excuse the behavior but it helps explain it.

Studies have been done on the vertically challenged as well with respect to employment. We don't fare as well as tall people. I wonder if anyone has investigated a correlation between height and crime.

Physical characteristics shouldn't matter. Unfortunately, they do.

Ms Sisyphus 2-17-2006 @ 4:07PM

Interesting idea, but isn't the study inherently flawed? How to do they control for those people who commit crimes but get away with them?

ann adams 2-17-2006 @ 4:43PM

I'm not a great believer in "studies" or surveys (or experts)for that matter. They can never consider all factors.

First hand observation is another thing though and it does seem to hold true at least to some extent. Another thing I just thought of. Unattractive and poor often go hand in hand. Good dental care goes a long way toward changing appeance as does plastic surgery, even for the young. No, I haven't done a study, haven't even thought it through but probably most of the crimes listed in the study were committed by the poor who happened to be unattractive as well. Or I'm nuts. Either way.

Rebecca 2-17-2006 @ 4:44PM

Here's a concrete reason for parents to teach their children the skills that enable them to be considered attractive in our society. Sure, it shouldn't matter, but since it does, let's do what we can. We all know of people who are widely considered attractive but, if only their natural physical attributes were considered, unadorned, it would be otherwise.

Bonnie 2-17-2006 @ 4:47PM

I think this is fascinating. Anyone else who does too should read Freakonomics (authored by another pair of economists) which extracts other fascinating correlations.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006073132X/103-1198364-7168662

Barbara Wright 2-17-2006 @ 8:02PM

I disagree with the article. It is true, some very attractive men turn out to be serial killers.

I think that society emphasizes too much on looks. Very attractive people seem to be chosen first for jobs, promotions, and they often get their way. An average "Jane" like myself seems to work hard, it is harder to find a job, is often passed over by some woman who looks like a model or "Barbie doll". Looks do affect a person throughout their lives. If someone isn't a "pretty" person, they suffer rejection and torment, often picked last for a job, promotion, or spouse.

mgt 2-17-2006 @ 9:10PM

You can read the researchers' published study, "Ugly Criminals" at:
http://www.aeaweb.org/annual_mtg_papers/2006/0106_0800_0902.pdf

Laura Snow 2-18-2006 @ 3:46AM

Has anyone considered that the most attractive people are often, the more wealthy? They can pay for expensive products to keep them looking great, can go to more expensive stylists, eyebrow shapers, have people who dress them in the latest fashions, can hire personal trainers, dieticians, have surgery, etc? I would have to say that the crimes committed by so called 'ugly' people are committed by mostly the poorest.

Missy 2-19-2006 @ 12:33AM

The employability argument would depend on industry. Pre-pregnancy, I was a geophysicist. There's not a lot of hot geophysicists. We're a small group and we're usually pretty ugly (I keed, I keed!). Whereas models tend to be very attractive. The guys that scoop the shit at the water treatment facility? Not that hot.

Okay, so I'm just kidding around. I do agree that generally more attractive people tend to have an edge when all else is equal. If I had a genius with killer personality applying for the same job as an beautiful idiot, I know who I'd choose.

mo-wo 2-20-2006 @ 11:00PM

Once working alongside a father of 3 I ridculed the book Why raise ugly kids?, subtitled; fulfill your child's health and happiness potential. He is a fellow I greatly respect who is no pantywaist about anything.

My friend told me to reconsider my quick judgement.

I stole away to check this book instead of persisting in judging it by its cover. He had a point and so did Mr. Huggins, the author. I guess your post gives a bit more credence to encouraging all us parents to not let our kids lives turn ugly after all.