Why study this?

Drudge (and everyone else) is reporting on a new study by Canadian researchers that was released recently about parents and their children. It seems that parents tend to treat their "pretty" children better than their ugly ones.

I have one question. Why, why, why would anyone study this? Why is this a valid subject? Is this the result of some geeky scientist wanting to finally prove to his siblings what he has suspected all along. I can see him at home at Christmas with his sister saying, "See, I told you Mom loves you more! Now I have the research to back it up!"

This is just ridiculous.