Dollars and Sex Summary

"Love may be blind, but economics has 20/20 vision." Marina Adshade explores the influence of economics on love, sex, and relationships.

1. Freedom and Choice for Women in Sexuality

Over time, economic factors have granted women more freedom in their sexual choices. Unlike their grandmothers who faced public shaming for promiscuity, modern women have gained empowerment due to better financial independence and access to contraceptives. These advancements have allowed greater control over their decisions and reduced stigmas surrounding non-traditional relationships.

Women today can buy and use contraceptives to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, societal norms have shifted toward accepting premarital and extramarital relationships. This is largely supported by a rise in women's earning potential, which has enabled them to care for children independently or opt for socially accepted abortions if needed.

Such shifts in independence and norms enable women to handle the challenges of accidental pregnancies far better. Marriage and societal approval are no longer prerequisites for their dignity or livelihood, creating possibilities for personal and familial choices free from traditional constraints.

Examples

• The introduction of accessible birth control pills empowered women by reducing the risks of pregnancy.
• Independent women are more likely to sustain themselves financially and raise children alone.
• Cultural acceptance of abortions reflects changing societal attitudes toward female autonomy.

2. More Births Despite Contraceptives

While one might expect reliable contraceptives to reduce pregnancies, premarital birth rates have surprisingly increased. This counterintuitive trend highlights how reduced financial and social risks surrounding sex encourage greater sexual activity among individuals.

In 1925, an unmarried woman faced massive penalties for pregnancy, including a tarnished reputation and economic losses. Today, the financial and social stigma has declined significantly. Birth control, though never perfect, decreases the risks, making unmarried couples more willing to take those risks.

As cultural attitudes liberalize, previously conservative areas begin adopting new norms. Societies subtly converge toward permissive standards, leading to higher overall birth rates among unmarried individuals despite the availability of contraceptives.

Examples

• The probability of getting pregnant without contraceptives in 1925 was 85%, a daunting figure for women.
• Condom availability could have lessened risks to 45%, motivating a sexual revolution.
• Changing perceptions in conservative societies mirror liberal ones, altering behaviors across generations.

3. College Dating Markets Reflect Supply and Demand

The sexual dynamics on college campuses vividly illustrate the law of supply and demand. Heterosexual males on campuses with more female students experience better odds of sexual activity, as women's bargaining power decreases when men are scarce.

With women outnumbering men on many college campuses today, male students find themselves in a "buyer's market." Here, women may lower their expectations regarding how and when sexual activity occurs, reflecting market-like behavior in relationships.

Studies reveal that in male-dominated campuses, women retain their virginity at a higher rate. However, in female-dominated environments, attitudes among women shift toward becoming sexually active earlier. Simple economic principles dictate much of these behavioral patterns.

Examples

• Campuses in Canada, where only 42% of students are male, create a "buyer's market" for men.
• Female virginity is more likely to be preserved in male-majority campuses, with rates as high as 45%.
• The reverse trend occurs in female-majority colleges, where virginity rates drop to 30%.

4. Thin Markets in Online Dating

Online dating platforms often unintentionally create "thin" marketplaces, where the criteria used to filter potential partners limit matches. This limits opportunities for meaningful connections despite the thousands of profiles available.

For instance, many dating sites rely on superficial attributes like height or income, which drastically reduce the size of the dating pool. Market inefficiencies occur when individuals filter for these quantitative traits rather than experiential qualities like humor or shared values.

Improving online dating markets would involve designing algorithms that prioritize real-world compatibility factors. After all, many successful partnerships thrive despite individuals not fitting each other's stated "ideal."

Examples

• Dating filters like height or salary impose unnecessary restrictions on matches.
• Two humor-compatible people may never meet due to superficial constraints in algorithms.
• Overemphasis on quantitative data hampers the discovery of genuine connections.

5. Marriage as an Economic Institution

Marriage can be seen as a practical economic arrangement, where partners pool complementary skills together to maintain a more efficient household. While love is essential, the partnership also brings advantages in handling financial and domestic tasks.

Household duties are a blend of services, from grocery shopping to bookkeeping. Sharing these responsibilities enhances efficiency, allowing couples to focus on their individual strengths. This dynamic also extends to the bedroom, where the consistency of marital sex meets needs more efficiently than in dating markets.

Beyond romantic fulfillment, marriage lowers risks associated with dating, such as violence or disease. Economically, it presents substantial advantages in creating a stable environment.

Examples

• Couples divide domestic chores like bill management and cooking to suit individual skills.
• Married couples report higher rates of sexual activity compared to singles.
• Marriage reduces risks like STDs and violence, which are higher in dating markets.

6. Education’s Role in Declining Polygamy

Polygamy was historically driven by economic advantages in societies reliant on agriculture. However, the Industrial Revolution shifted preferences, emphasizing educated wives and smaller, smarter families over numerous offspring.

As cities grew, education became critical for securing jobs, prompting a need for skilled partners capable of supporting their children’s development. This shifted societal dynamics, granting women greater independence and a stronger bargaining position in romantic relationships.

Over time, educated women demanded monogamy and rejected roles as additional wives. The decline in polygamy illustrates the transformative power of education and economic modernization.

Examples

• Wealthier agricultural families historically used polygamy to manage vast farmland.
• Industries demanded smarter, educated workers, reshaping family structures.
• Women achieving education gained autonomy to reject polygamous arrangements.

7. Divorce Rates Linked to Economic Instability

Economic inequalities and financial stress heavily influence divorce rates. Couples struggling financially are more likely to face marital strife, while wealthier and more educated individuals experience greater stability.

High educational attainment often correlates with higher income levels, which reduces stressors like debt or status anxiety. Conversely, in societies with significant economic disparities, lower-income families face increased pressure to compete with wealthier counterparts.

Research reveals that as financial inequality escalates, the divorce rate rises accordingly. Strained finances create emotional and practical obstacles for couples, leading to separations.

Examples

• College graduates face a 16% lower divorce rate compared to high school graduates.
• Economic instability amplifies stress, a common factor in failed marriages.
• A 1% rise in financial inequality correlates with a 1.2% increase in divorce rates.

Takeaways

1. Rethink your criteria when online dating; focus on experiential compatibility rather than narrow quantitative traits.
2. Understand economic patterns in relationships to make informed decisions about education, finances, and family life.
3. Address financial stress early in marriage to strengthen long-term stability and reduce the chance of divorce.