The Economics of Sex

Why do men want sex and women want marriage? This animation perfectly explains the 'economy of sex':

This video broaches the economy of sex in a clinical and an academic manner, attempting objectivity but only partially achieving it. There are many layers of assumptions worked into this fairly perceptive social analysis.

This theory assumes that marriage is the endgame relationship status, paints sexuality as a binary, and ignores the fact that women themselves are often delaying marriage in order to pursue careers.

Although this analysis is rooted in social psychology and drawn from solid economic framework, these sorts of paradigms focus on broad underlying generalities.

This is a basic lens, and completely ignores the many and complicated human aspects of interpersonal relationships.

A thought provoking framing, but very limited in its direct application.

This video was produced by the Austin Institute for the Study of Family and Culture.

NewlyWeds Quickie Guide

"The excitement of getting married gives couples a hit of dopamine -- a feel-good brain chemical that increases sex drive. For a few months after marriage, things may stay hot, and while you still love each other and feel passionate about each other, the dopamine does settle down. You're back to real life. Your normal sex-drive set point kicks back in. Your expectations about married sex take over. It's the perfect time to do the delicious work of deepening your sexual bond." says marriage and sex therapist Pat Love, Ed.D.

"The challenge for couples is balancing a sense of intimacy and safety and security with a sense of unpredictability and creativity and eroticism," says Barry McCarthy, Ph.D., a psychology professor at American University in Washington, D.C. "When sexual intimacy is strong, making love plays a healthy 15 to 20 percent role in energizing your marriage. The paradox is that when sex is problematic, it plays an inordinately powerful, negative role in new marriages."