Supply, Demand And Marriage

From the New York Times.  See http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/business/economy/marriage-and-the-law-of-supply-and-demand.html

Supply, Demand and Marriage

Date: Sunday, August 07, 2011
Source: The New York Times
Author: ROBERT H. FRANK

IN some cultures, romance isn’t nearly as important as cash when it comes to choosing a marriage partner. And even when money plays no explicit role in selecting a mate, courtship customs are governed by the venerable economic model of supply and demand.

Under the dowry system in India, for example, parents of older brides would typically pay more to prospective grooms. Men with better jobs would receive larger payments, too.

In short, there really is a marriage market in many countries around the world, and economic principles apply to it. In markets with a preponderance of women seeking partners, the terms of trade shift in favor of men. If more men are seeking partners, the reverse is true. Two cases in point are the baby-boom generation in the United States and the current youth cohort in China.

To read the full article, please click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/business/economy/marriage-and-the-law-of-supply-and-demand.html?_r=1