Well, I think it's because that's the way nature works. Men have run the world for thousand of years and society is geared to suit them. And as for the appearance being scrutinized thing I was giving this alot of thought recently and I have come to a conclusion. Some will think that it's quite caveman but it's based on what I think is in our nature. Our brains are hardwired to look for certain things in a sexual partner. Women look for a guy who can provide security for her and her child, as well as good looking but mens bodies are designed for survival. Whereas a woman simply bring her body to the table, yes she has to be generally kind so she nutures your child in a motherly way but her body is designed to reproduce and so this is pretty much the key component for a man and this is why a womans appearence is scrutinized. As far as our conscious minds go that's a different story, but this is how I believe we as animals are born to think, regardless of social conventions.