Summary
Research studies highlight the importance of chin shape and its impact on facial attractiveness, particularly in males. Thayer and Dobson’s (2013) research from Northwestern University emphasized how chin shape can significantly influence the perceived masculinity of a face. According to a 2019 study by Lakhiani & Somenek, men tend to have a more defined and sharper jaw angle than women. Men’s jaws are also generally squarer and longer by about 20%, creating a more prominent profile. This is due to the presence of two prominent points, known as lateral mental eminences, in the area of the canines. In contrast, women usually have a single central point, resulting in a more rounded chin. Garvin and Ruff’s (2012) study further supports these findings, pointing out that men typically have a more noticeable chin region, with more prominent features, contributing to a broader, squarer chin. Consequently, a sharper chin angle is seen as more desirable in males, symbolizing traditionally associated masculine traits.
Research
Thayer and Dobson’s (2013) research from the Department of Anthropology at Northwestern University underscores that the shape of the chin is often seen as a crucial factor contributing to facial attractiveness, particularly in males. The study by suggests that the shape and angle of the chin can play a significant role in how masculine a face appears. According to Lakhiani & Somenek (2019), men have a more defined and sharper mandibular angle (the angle at the back of the jaw) than women. While the angle is usually less than 125 degrees in both sexes, women’s mandibular angle is often a bit wider, resulting in a softer transition from the jawline to the back of the jaw. This also leads to a narrower jaw width in women. The chin and lower jaw in men are typically longer by approximately 20% and more prominent. The shape is squarer in men, mainly due to the presence of two prominent points (known as lateral mental eminences) in the canine region, while women generally have a single middle point, making their chins appear more rounded or pointed. A masculine chin is typically in line with the lower lip or slightly forward. So, a sharper chin angle is considered more desirable in males because it gives a squarer, more defined jawline and chin, which are traditionally associated with masculine traits.
The study by Garvin and Ruff (2012) suggests that a sharper chin angle is often seen as more masculine and appealing in males. This is due to certain physical traits men typically have, like a more prominent “mental eminence” (the protruding part of the chin), and a taller “chin ROI” (region of interest, meaning the overall size of the chin area). Additionally, the formation of lateral tubercles, which are bony prominences on the sides of the chin, are generally more noticeable in males, making the chin appear broader and squarer. Therefore, a sharper chin angle in males, contributing to a broader and squarer appearance, is typically seen as better or more attractive than a flatter one.
Reference
Thayer, Z. M., & Dobson, S. D. (2013). Geographic variation in chin shape challenges the universal facial attractiveness hypothesis. PloS one, 8(4), e60681. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0060681
Lakhiani, C., & Somenek, M. T. (2019). Gender-related facial analysis. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics, 27(2), 171-177. https://www.facialplastic.theclinics.com/article/S1064-7406(19)30006-9/fulltext
Garvin, H. M., & Ruff, C. B. (2012). Sexual dimorphism in skeletal browridge and chin morphologies determined using a new quantitative method. American journal of physical anthropology, 147(4), 661-670. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ajpa.22036