Why women date men like their dads

Text: Denise Ngo
Photos: Getty Images

We suppose it's a little creepy, talking about reverse Oedipal complexes on Father's Day, but the more serious we get about settling down, the more we notice the influence our parents have on our relationships. In addition to badgering us about grandchildren, they've influenced our tastes. Some women date men who are the exact opposite of their fathers; others fall for men who are just like them. Of course, most women wouldn't freely admit the similarities - or to the differences, which can signify a complete rejection of their upbringing - but that doesn't mean they aren't there. Nor does it mean that we've got Daddy issues or latent incestuous tendencies. In fact, it can simply point to one of the following theories: