Friday, July 05, 2013

The Economics of Slut-Shaming

An interesting and provocative piece. Excerpt:


The economic way of thinking prompts us to consider the preferences, endowments, and trade-offs that shape our decisions in the face of our unlimited wants and limited means. Decisions about sex—in all of its pleasure, danger, and emotion—are no less subject to these constraints. Although rarely framed as such, in many ways, the euvoluntary exchange of semen and security for womb space and childcare constitutes one of humanity’s earliest, and perhaps most essential, economic spheres. 

Sex is a female resource. While both genders certainly enjoy and depend on the act, natural constraints on female sexuality create scarcity—and value. The high costs of female fertility—in terms of time, mental and physical health, and opportunities forgone—impel women to act as suppliers in the sexual market. Male sexuality, on the other hand, is ubiquitous and cheap. What’s more, men tend to place a higher value on sexual gratification than do women. Men, therefore, comprise the demand for sex. 

ATSRTWT, with thanks to SL Wilson

2 comments:

Jack P. said...

Fun discussion, even though the writer makes elementary mistakes such as "When the supply exceeds the demand" (nonsensical, check Econ 101 textbook).

Anonymous said...

Here's a different take on the same topic, just to spice things up...

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dollars-and-sex/201307/response-the-economics-slut-shaming