zlacker

>>gmays+(OP)
The trend of less education means less marriage is interesting. I think that tells me the root cause is that 25% of 40 year olds are not financially attractive mates. I think this speaks to a broader trend of men not being able to meet the traditional expectations of the breadwinner in an increasingly precarious economy.

>>dougmw+I5
>25% of 40 year olds are not financially attractive mates.

Is this a peculiarity of the US? Income was never an issue when i got the hots for someone...especially when things turned into long-term commitment. In fact, quite the opposite.

>>InCity+g7
Class and income are extremely important when it comes to marriage. It’s more important for women because they are looking for stability and safety for raising kids. It’s less important for men because they are the ones expected to provide. It’s common relationship stress when the woman earns more than the man.

Of course these are generalities, but they also fall out of the game theory of dating. For a woman, choosing a partner is extremely high risk as she will bear the children, will redirect energy away from her career to raise them, and will, most of the time, end up raising the children alone if the marriage breaks up. Men don’t really have any of those concerns because there’s not the same expectation they would raise the children on their own without help. I’ve known plenty of guys who ran out on the kids and zero women who left the kids with the guy.