Almost 50 per cent of young women aged between 18 and 25 would rather have larger breasts than high intelligence levels and one-third would readily swap IQ for bigger boobs,a new study has revealed.
Experts have held responsible the youngsters growing obsession with celebrity culture and the burgeoning market for plastic surgery.
The study,which has shocked womens groups,also found that a quarter of those surveyed felt bigger breasts would make them feel ‘happier’.
And nearly 60 per cent of the respondents believed that men would be more interested in them romantically if they had bigger breasts.
It comes in the midst of widespread concern about the pressures put on modern-day women through advertising and magazines.
Women now face unprecedented pressures to focus on their body, Kat Banyard from womens group UK Feminista said.
Industries that focus on the way women look are flourishing meaning that from a very early age,women are taught that the way they look matters more than what they do.
The consequences of this can manifest in eating disorders or extreme measures such as plastic surgery. These figures show that women still loathe their bodies on an industrial scale.
The survey of 1,142 women aimed at finding out more about the attitudes young women hold towards brains and beauty.
Only 43 per cent thought that men would be more interested in them if they had a higher IQ.
Researchers also revealed that about 40 per cent of the respondents would prefer to have a slim figure than high intelligence,with many stating that it would make them feel more confident.
Almost the same percentage of people asserted that they would swap their IQ in order to be their ideal dress size.
When it came to relationships,most women felt men valued intelligence in women,although two thirds said that they felt appearance was more significant for attracting a partner.
The same was true in the workplace,with almost half of the respondents believing that being attractive would also help a woman advance in her career.
Almost 80 per cent also felt that they were judged more on their looks than intelligence.



