Opposites Attract: Why “Good Girls” Tend To Fall For The “Bad Boys”

Opposites Attract: Why “Good Girls” Tend To Fall For The “Bad Boys” ©iStock/g-stockstudio

We all know the old trope of good girls falling for bad boys, but some cliches exist for a reason. There’s just something about a guy that’s a little mysterious and off-the-mark that you can’t quite put your finger on but find yourself immensely attracted to. Eventually you get over it, of course, but for a while there, it really does seem like the bad boy is your #1 “type”, despite the fact that he’s everything your mother taught you to stay far away from. Here’s why you probably fall for them and leave the “nice guys” in the dust.

  1. You think you can change them. Or better yet, you think you can make them want to change for you. Nothing feels better than knowing you were the one girl worthy enough to turn him straight… at least you think it would feel great, if it ever actually happened.
  2. You think they can protect you. Bad boys are usually synonymous with tough guys, and you want someone to protect you. Even though you get oh-sso annoyed when he tries to fight every guy that looks at you, you also secretly kind of love it.
  3. You think they’re sexier. Usually bad boys are better looking, and who doesn’t love a little eye candy? Tattoos and leather jackets, yes please! Of course, there’s something sexy about a guy that all the other women want… until he wants to be with all of them, too.
  4. They’re more adventurous. They bring out the fun side of you and make you live just a little more dangerously. They’ll have you doing/trying things you never thought you would, and after all, variety IS the spice of life.
  5. It’s your only way to rebel. Because you secretly want to be bad, too, but don’t have it in you. This is the closest you’ll ever get to tarnishing your little Ms. Perfect persona. Bonus points for driving your parents crazy.
  6. It lowers your expectations. If you know he is a bad boy going in, your expectations will be lower, so it won’t be a surprise when he breaks your heart. Can you say “defense mechanism”?
  7. There are no strings attached. Because you aren’t quite ready for a relationship and you know that they aren’t, either. You know they’re not marriage material, but you aren’t looking for a husband just yet, anyway.
  8. You think they’re better in bed. Practice makes perfect, right? If he has the reputation of sleeping with every girl in town, he must be good at it. The problem with bad boys is they’re usually all about themselves. The best lovers are the ones that care more about pleasing their partner, so give that nice guy another chance.
  9. Secret fantasies. You watched Grease one too many times growing up and have been looking for the Danny to your Sandy ever since. Who doesn’t want to live out their childhood fantasy with their favorite character?
  10. Opposites attract. It may be cliché, but it’s true. After all, what fun would a relationship be if you were both play it safe do-gooders who wanted to talk about your feelings all day long?
  11. You like the drama. Even though he often leaves you in tears or second guessing yourself, he keeps you on your toes. Ditch him and indulge in a Shonda Rhimes show instead.
  12. You are immature. Girls like bad boys. Women like smart, interesting, caring, successful men. The good news is, you should (eventually) grow out of it.
Rachael is an award winning stand-up comedienne, freelance writer, and BravoTV superfan. Her Real Housewives tagline is “The only thing bigger than my boobs are my personalities.” In her spare time, she keeps busy catering to the needs of a very spoiled Siberian Husky, (Paris Hilton), cleaning the skeletons out of her closet (to make room for more shoes), and swiping left to everyone on Tinder. Follow her on twitter @therealplandd.
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