What is the purpose of 'cute'?

[Bii]

I get a strange feeling this has been raised before but I feel the need to ask it anyway. What is the purpose of 'cuteness'? Why is it that we feel tenderly towards small children struggling with words, wriggling puppies, otters (personal fave, they are seriously cute), and the like?

[applepie]

Maybe it is a biological reaction to keep us from losing patience when it is needed most:D At least for me, it is a reminder for tolerance and understanding. Sometimes the things that are cute would just be obnoxious if they didn't make you have warm fuzzy feelings.

[Bakiryu]

Well cute things awaken people's 'care-taking instincts'. I mean if you see a tiny, itsy-bitsy kitten you would probably feed and take care of it, or take it to a n animal shelter or something. Kids are the same, they're so cute you just can't resist the cuteness.

[dramasnot6]

¨Cute¨ appeals to your inner child. Things that are cute usually express a sort of innocence, something untouched by the perils of society.

[RobinHood3000]

As bakiryi said, "cuteness" tweaks the nurturing instincts of others to encourage them to take care of the cute ones. It's no coincidence that children are cutest as babies, and once they think they're smart enough to take care of themselves ('round 12 or 13 :p), they stop becoming cute.

[kilted exile]

Ok, theree has been a lot of talk here of babies being cute. Cute? they look like oversized red, wrinkled grapes. As usual there is a song (http://www.lyricsondemand.com/v/vandalsthelyrics/flowersareprettylyrics.html) that deals with this subject:

[Video Drone]

I think babies would be cute if they were your own... babies crying at the top of their voices in a store... not all that cute.

Kittens are cute. That's right.

[Bakiryu]

I think babies are cute even when they're crying, I just want to soothe them and make them smile. But then I shouldn't be talking since I also think spiders, mice and <3 snakes are cute as well. I love frogs, too.

[Shalot]

Ok, theree has been a lot of talk here of babies being cute. Cute? they look like oversized red, wrinkled grapes. As usual there is a song (http://www.lyricsondemand.com/v/vandalsthelyrics/flowersareprettylyrics.html) that deals with this subject:


Nice song -- my thoughts exactly

[Debrasue]

Babies, kittens, puppies....all adorable....teenagers who seriously think they they 'know it all'....I love it! brings a smile to my face every time...just grab 'um,(if they're older boys they're probably bigger than you, LOL!) & hug'um & say 'I love you....'...they hate that!....but to me it's the cutest thing.....Full grown men losing their selves in the moment of innocent childlikeness....gets me every time~sigh~
Is there a purpose for 'cute'....maybe....but does there have to be a purpose...maybe genuine cuteness is just one of those simple things to be enjoyed without analysis?

[Mortis Anarchy]

Ok, theree has been a lot of talk here of babies being cute. Cute? they look like oversized red, wrinkled grapes. As usual there is a song (http://www.lyricsondemand.com/v/vandalsthelyrics/flowersareprettylyrics.html) that deals with this subject:

I'm sorry, I don't get the appeal of babies at the moment. I totally agree with you.

They poop and cry and poop and scream and poop some more!!! ITS A CYCLE OF POOP! I don't deal well with poop. or screaming/crying...or the whole pain of childbirth...nope not me...at least right now. Plus, when they get older, like 4-5, they are sticky and clingy and annoying...and then obnoxious...okay, I'm done.

I think animals and men are cute(handsome:) ) and I think older couples are cute and recently married couples are cute. I think shoes, flowers, clothes, purses etc. are cute. Why? I have no idea. They just are.

[wilbur lim]

Cute is relishing to descry,cuteness isn't adverse,it is normal.

[Bitterfly]

I agree with the posters above that cuteness awakens a sort of nurturing "instinct" but what is funny is that obviously it's a rather subjective notion. Maybe cute = vulnerable? I also find teenagers, or men for that matter!! rather sweet (the British cute :P ) when they show some sort of immaturity/babyishness (except when they demonstrate it agressively!).

[ClaesGefvenberg]

I get a strange feeling this has been raised before but I feel the need to ask it anyway. What is the purpose of 'cuteness'? Why is it that we feel tenderly towards small children struggling with words, wriggling puppies, otters (personal fave, they are seriously cute), and the like?Quite simple (as others have already said): Being cute is the babies and small childrens way of staying alive long enough to grow up and become obnoxious (and able to defend themselves).

Example: Could you imagine what would happen if a baby woke the entire house up by mimicking an air raid siren in the middle of the night, presented you with a load in its diapers, demanded food right this minute, and then proceeded to barf said meal over your shoulder without being cute? Would it survive? I don't think so....

Thus, they have to be cute... They'd better... ;):lol:

/Claes

[Poetess]

I get a strange feeling this has been raised before but I feel the need to ask it anyway. What is the purpose of 'cuteness'? Why is it that we feel tenderly towards small children struggling with words, wriggling puppies, otters (personal fave, they are seriously cute), and the like?

Maybe because they are still young and innocent - at least for the moment? :lol:

[ntropyincarnate]

I think babies are cute even when they're crying, I just want to soothe them and make them smile. But then I shouldn't be talking since I also think spiders, mice and <3 snakes are cute as well. I love frogs, too.

Can't agree on the spiders or frogs, although i don't mind snakes. But mice are about the cutest animal there is!!! Even cuter than rats, which are pretty damn cute. :thumbs_up:D

[Poetess]

rats cute? I can never think of that :P neither of spiders..
Cats are


Cuteness is a kind of attractiveness commonly associated with youth and appearance, as well as a scientific concept and analytical model in ethology, first introduced by Konrad Lorenz. It is usually characterized by (though not limited to) some combination of infant-like physical traits, especially small body size with a disproportionately large head, large eyes, a small nose, dimples, and round and softer body features. Infantile personality traits, such as playfulness, fragility, helplessness, curiosity, innocence, affectionate behavior and a need to be nurtured are also generally considered cute.

more here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cute)


I think it`s commonly known why we consider kids and any of such soft physical traits as cute. But, some people consider certain aggressive-like things as Cute. Like, someone saw a gory picture in my e-mail and she went like "CUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUTE". What was cute about it? Okay, whether it was photo-shop or not, well done for such a style, but I believed that was her taste.