Sex and the Dimple
Economics
Sarah Flanagan '10
Issue date: 4/28/10 Section: Features
As economists attempt to move their system of analysis past money and fiscal currencies and into more subjunctive entities such as "The Economics of Happiness," I decided to analyze the market of college relationships.
First there is the obvious concept of Supply and Demand: the less lovin' you supply, the higher the demand. Scarcity of lovin' results in a higher value of that person's love. This value can be measured in many different currencies, such as notes from secret admirers, googily eyes in the library, and an overall consensus that the average consumer would "tap that." The notion of 'hard to get' may be common sense, but sometimes the basics are the hardest to apply. Note, always beware of inflation.
Another aspect of dating that the supply and demand graph can visually explain is the correlation between class year and potential mates: Freshman girls and senior guys have the best markets for dating. It is socially more acceptable for girls to go for older guys, and vice versa: Picture the supply and demand graph where the x axis measures age, and y is quantity of possible mates. Inelastic or demand can of course make age irrelevant, depending on the person.
In entering or leaving a relationship there are exit and entrance barriers (entrance barriers are more commonly known as 'the chase'). Sometimes exit barriers make it hard to act competitively or rationally.
Specialization can help actors be more competitive in the dating market:
for example, specializing in music, or a sense of humor can give the average dude more of an edge.
Another question college students must constantly ask themselves is the opportunity cost of a hook up or relationship. Is the time spent with a significant other worth the trade of spending less time on homework, or with friends? In a hook up situation, is the girl you are about to hit on worth the four drinks you will probably buy her, or the time that could be better spent doing keg stands with your bros?
Hopefully this article has left those who will return to Wheaton next year with a new tool of analysis to equip them to make the most informed and rational decisions on the volatile markets of love.
First there is the obvious concept of Supply and Demand: the less lovin' you supply, the higher the demand. Scarcity of lovin' results in a higher value of that person's love. This value can be measured in many different currencies, such as notes from secret admirers, googily eyes in the library, and an overall consensus that the average consumer would "tap that." The notion of 'hard to get' may be common sense, but sometimes the basics are the hardest to apply. Note, always beware of inflation.
Another aspect of dating that the supply and demand graph can visually explain is the correlation between class year and potential mates: Freshman girls and senior guys have the best markets for dating. It is socially more acceptable for girls to go for older guys, and vice versa: Picture the supply and demand graph where the x axis measures age, and y is quantity of possible mates. Inelastic or demand can of course make age irrelevant, depending on the person.
In entering or leaving a relationship there are exit and entrance barriers (entrance barriers are more commonly known as 'the chase'). Sometimes exit barriers make it hard to act competitively or rationally.
Specialization can help actors be more competitive in the dating market:
for example, specializing in music, or a sense of humor can give the average dude more of an edge.
Another question college students must constantly ask themselves is the opportunity cost of a hook up or relationship. Is the time spent with a significant other worth the trade of spending less time on homework, or with friends? In a hook up situation, is the girl you are about to hit on worth the four drinks you will probably buy her, or the time that could be better spent doing keg stands with your bros?
Hopefully this article has left those who will return to Wheaton next year with a new tool of analysis to equip them to make the most informed and rational decisions on the volatile markets of love.
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