The Evolution of Partner Preferences in a Changing Economy (opens in new tab)

Romance is often treated as pure poetry, but historically, it has been a highly practical arrangement. For centuries, the deal was exceedingly straightforward: men controlled the capital, and women were expected to find that fact incredibly charming. We have long been sold a narrative suggesting that women are simply predisposed to swoon over a robust bank account, while men are entirely focused on youth and beauty. You see this dynamic in classic literature, you observe it in the behavior of...