I’ve never heard that said about men who marry less attractive women. And tell the truth and shame the devil - you KNOW such men exist out there (note I’ve acknowledged the existence of the female equivalent to such men - so no gender bias intended).
Men and women want their partners to be beautiful, sexy, attractive and there is a sense of pride associated with it. You have someone that other people want and desire is kind of an ego boost that HUMANS generally like.
Seriously no one go out and look for an “unattractive” mate.
nobody pointed out that at times the sole reason for marrying an ultra beauty is because that man is the only son and her mother wants to find the ultimate chaand si bahu for his laakhon mei ek baita
Other than that, yes shallow as it may seem…everybody wants to hear good compliments about their spouse (at least initially) and be told that what a great couple they make or how lucky he/she is to have such a good looking spouse. But then as time passes, the seerat unravels and beauty ultimately takes a backseat and the same compliments don’t matter anymore.
I have had male friends say that they would never marry within the family unless if the cousin is really hot.
So yeah, it’s all about showing people that you’ve got the hot wife.
Marriage for the sole point of a trophy spouse aside, I reckon it’s less superficial/arbitrary to marry/judge someone for earning potential than it is to marry/judge someone for looks. Earning potential is a variable which can be shaped with education, willpower, mental prowess, whereas we don’t have control over the genetics that inform our beauty.