The eligible bachelor paradox

Simon604

The author of this article provides a logical argument about why there is a percieved shortage of quality men available in the "social marketplace." He applies principles of economics and game theory to help explain the shortage of available, appealing men which I found to be kind of interesting. As for how accurate he is, I don't know...all I know is that it makes sense how he presents it. Anyone interested in a loose discussion about his concepts? Maybe we'll learn some universal truth about dating :tongue:

http://www.slate.com/id/2188684/pagenum/all/

Nikolai

I agree that the ideas are interesting and well presented, but not especially convincing.

I think the author underestimates the effect of the gender ratio. The age group where he says men become harder to find is about the age group where gender ratios have reversed.

There's also some "common wisdom" that isn't addressed: that what is socially desirable in a man changes at that age, that expectations of men are higher now that women earn more,and that desirable men lose more by entering long-term relationships.

schmoey

Yeah, very interesting stuff.. this is the kind of stuff that makes me want to take some of the upper-level ECON courses =)