PsycHacks Episode 579: Death of the lady (where are all the real men?)
8 snips
Dec 15, 2025 Modern complaints about chivalry are examined through the historical lens of ladies versus prostitutes. The podcast dives into how these roles shaped male behavior and the dynamics of respectability versus freedom. It discusses why ladies delayed sex until marriage and the mutual animosity between both groups. The need for each other in the social construct of the sexual marketplace is highlighted, alongside the varying costs of sexual opportunities. It challenges the notion of who can truly embody the role of a 'lady' today.
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Gender Roles Are Social Constructions
- Ladies and gentlemen are social constructions defined by behaviors, not nature.
- Orion Taraban explains these roles exist only in particular cultures and times.
Two Historical Female Strategies
- Historically there were effectively two female strategies: ladies who married and prostitutes who didn't.
- Orion Taraban frames ladies as long-term provision careers and prostitutes as short-term gigs.
Sex Deferred For Survival
- Ladies deferred sex until marriage to secure male provision and protect maternal survival.
- Lack of effective birth control and economic dependence made this a life-or-death strategy.
