Freakonomics Radio Why Did You Marry That Person? (Ep. 511 Replay)
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Jun 29, 2023 Helen Fisher, a renowned biological anthropologist and senior research fellow at the Kinsey Institute, dives into the economics of love and marriage. She discusses how modern dating platforms like Tinder exacerbate assortative mating, which can lead to social inequalities. The changing landscape of marriage, including trends in cohabitation and later marriages, highlights evolving dynamics. Fisher also reflects on historical practices, like the impact of mourning in aristocratic marriages and the shift from prestige to love as the main motivation for marriage.
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Later Marriages, Stronger Marriages
- Americans are marrying later, giving them more time to mature and understand their desires.
- This leads to fewer but more stable marriages, evidenced by declining divorce rates.
Marriage as a Market
- Economists view marriage as a market where singles search for partners.
- This differs from traditional markets, as it lacks explicit prices but involves preferences and availability.
Education and Cohabitation
- Cohabitation has doubled since 1990, potentially contributing to the marriage decline in the U.S.
- Higher education, especially prestigious schools, correlates with later marriage and partners with similar education levels for women.
