Warning: The following post contains stereotypes and overgeneralizations.

So you’re a good girl who likes bad boys, but you don’t know why. You know he’s no good for you, but you date him anyway. You don’t understand. But before you start smoking, drinking, and wearing leather, let me share five reasons why bad boys are irresistible and why you should resist.

Steve Boyd by Ryan Orange

Bad boys are hot.
Let’s be honest. When we hear the words “bad boy,” we think of a tall, leather-jacket-wearing man who has great hair, biceps for days, and an amazing eight-pack. Well, at least I do. Bad boys are total studs.

However, let’s not forget that looks aren’t everything. Personality is important; and bad boys are jerks. When they get older, they’ll still be jerks. The difference is they will be balding and have a beer belly. Not as endearing.

Bad boys are forbidden.
As a good girl, your parents may have raised you to not bring home someone who blatantly lives on the bad side. So why are you attracted to Billy Joe Bad Boy? Because people innately want what they can’t have. Eve wanted the forbidden fruit, and good girls want the forbidden men. It’s like science.

But bad boys are forbidden for a reason: they’re bad. Shocking, I know. So stay away before you end up doing something bad like robbing a store, joining a gang, or getting dude’s name tattooed across your face.

Bad boys are confident.
Most bad boys make no excuses for who they are. They can do bad all by themselves, and they take pride in it. Understandably so. If I looked like John Stamos, the confidence would be bubbling over – but I wouldn’t say “bubbling” because that’s not cool. Bad boys drink beer, smoke cigarettes, ride motorcycles, drive cars, do everything in a cool manner – and they know that. You’re not interested? They don’t care. Why? Because several other women want them – and they know that. They’re hot – and they know that. They’re cool – and they know that. You love their confidence – and they know that.

The thing is, Jane, confidence could really be conceitedness. Do you really want to be with a man who’s conceited, Jane? Do you? Not only that, but the confidence could become a harsh nonchlance towards you. A bad boy would have no problem telling you that you’re not a big deal to him. And if he doesn’t flat out say it, he’ll shot it. Oh, you’re his girlfriend? And? He’ll talk to other girls with you right behind him. It’s a part of being conceited confident. You and dude will simply be casual and nothing more. Ouch.

Bad boys are exciting.
Opposites attract, and bad boys provide a very different change of pace. Thrill, risk, and danger can be endearing. Bad boys don’t give two expletives about the rules; and living la vida loca is very exciting, especially for the good girls who’ve followed the rules most of their lives.

But while the thrill of being with a rebel is intriguing, it could be destructive. If dude is always pushing the limits of danger, he could fall off of a cliff and die . . . or something less dramatic but (maybe) equally fatal. Also, spontaneity often comes with excitement. Sure, going on an impulsive vacation may give you a rush; but it’s not endearing to wake up in the morning and discover that Kevin jetted off to pursue his music career with his band, the Frontstreet Boys. Men have disappeared for less.

Bad boys can be changed.

“He gets into trouble, but I can change him!”

This is where you’re wrong, Sally. You cannot change a bad boy. You cannot control a bad boy. So many women have this weird “rescuer” characteristic or something. More science. Women want to save the troubled souls, the wayward men, the bad boys and transform them into nice guys that still have some edge. No, Sally. That’s not how it works.

“I think girls get into relationships with bad boys ’cause they think they can change them; but at the end of the day, you can’t remove a face tattoo.”
-Carly Aquillino

Well, you can. It’s painful, though. Bad boys do what they please when they please, regardless of what you want. You can’t change him, Sally. Stop wasting your time.

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In short, if loving him is wrong, you don’t want to be wrong! There’s no future with you and the bad boy. He’s hot, but he’s bad. Bad, as hard as it is to believe, is not good. RESIST! There is an exciting, confident, and hot good guy waiting for you. Stop posting Nate’s bail. Put the drugs down. Leave the skateboarder alone, and give that good guy a chance.

Click here to read a version of this piece on Thought Catalog!

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