1. Breasts are the new derrière
Evolutionary psychologists suggest that rounded buttocks evolved in women to provide a visual indication of youth and fertility. This is because oestrogen encourages fat storage in the buttocks, hips and thighs.
Biological anthropologist Bobbi S. Low says the buttocks “evolved in the context of females competing for the attention and parental commitment of powerful resource-controlling males” as an “honest display of fat reserves.”
sexologist Alfred Kind says that attraction to breasts stems from their similarity to the buttocks. This urge most likely developed around the time human beings started having sex face-to-face.
2. The link between breastfeeding and bonding
When a baby is breastfed by its mother, oxytocin (‘the cuddle hormone’) is released from the posterior pituitary gland, leading both participants to fall head-over-hells in love with each other, and therefore bond for life.
A similar things happens when breasts are played with during sex – a wave of oxytocin that leads lovers to feel a deep bond.
Another hormonal effect of nursing is a feeling of deep relaxation, even drowsiness – similar to the post-orgasmic glow. No wonder adults are pleased to see breasts again!
3. They’ll always be there for us
The human breast is unique among mammalian species. Human women are the only female mammals whose breasts get bigger during puberty and not just during pregnancy.
Breasts also vary in size from week to week, thanks to the production of estrogen and progesterone during the menstrual cycle. Half of women report having one breast that is larger than the other.
Finally,
So there we have it : breasts are always present in adult women, they help to signal fertility and they’re comforting. That’s why people like them.
Thankfully, science has given us all good reasons to be fans of the boob.
Just make sure you don’t stare too long – that’s never good.
Mirror