Why We're Attracted to Bad Boys

An element of attraction is the ability to feel safe around someone. If they are rebellious, then they exhibit a certain freedom. The age old cliché is that women love a bad boy. Sometimes we long to step out of our perfect, restricting roles. A bad boy offers potential to let our hair down and be as we are. 

Maybe there's a perception of, “he’ll protect me physically, so I’m safe,” but if anything, bad boys might overreact and get into trouble; I don’t think it’s their reputation that’s attractive. We aren’t choosing the “wrong” guy, either. I don’t think it’s because we long to change them, or be “the one” they’ll change for, the reason they’ll “wake up and realize it was you all along.” It’s just the promise of acceptance.

I like my guy because I feel safe enough to let go of control. I can receive. I can be my authentic self. I can say no when I want to, be angry, and he’ll show me love either way.