Hypergamy: Difference between revisions
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'''Hypergamy''' (colloquially referred to as "'''marrying up'''") is the act or practice of seeking a spouse of higher [[socioeconomic status]], or [[caste]] [[Social status|status]] than oneself.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypergamy</ref> |
'''Hypergamy''' (colloquially referred to as "'''marrying up'''") is the act or practice of seeking a spouse of higher [[socioeconomic status]], or [[caste]] [[Social status|status]] than oneself.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypergamy</ref> |
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The term is often used more specifically in reference to a perceived tendency amongst human cultures for females to seek or be encouraged to pursue male [[suitors]] that are higher status than themselves, which often manifests itself as being attracted to comparatively older, [[wealthier]] or otherwise more [[privilege]]d than themselves.<ref>http://depts.washington.edu/crfam/WorkingPapers/CRF%202004-01_Rose.pdf</ref> |
The term is often used more specifically in reference to a perceived tendency amongst human cultures for females to seek or be encouraged to pursue male [[suitors]] that are higher status than themselves, which often manifests itself as being attracted to comparatively older, [[wealthier]] or otherwise more [[privilege]]d than themselves.<ref>http://depts.washington.edu/crfam/WorkingPapers/CRF%202004-01_Rose.pdf</ref> According to [[Evolutionary psychology|evolutionary psychologists]], females have evolved a preference for higher status males because they offer their prospective children both "better" genes and greater resources, e.g. food and security. Men, who invest less in their children, have less reason to prefer mates with high social status. Some have even argued that men "marry-down" to ensure that their mates have a higher incentive to remain faithful.<ref>{{Citation | title = Genes, Legitimacy and Hypergamy: Another Look at the Economics of Marriage | author = Gilles Saint-Paul | publisher = [[University of Toulouse]] I - GREMAQ-IDEI; [[Centre for Economic Policy Research]] (CEPR) | volume = CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP6828 | date = May 2008 | url = http://idei.fr/doc/wp/2008/genes.pdf }}</ref> |
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The word "hypogamy"<ref>not to be confused with the botanical term ''hypogamous''.</ref> typically refers to instances of the inverse occurring: marrying a person of lower social class or status. |
The word "hypogamy"<ref>not to be confused with the botanical term ''hypogamous''.</ref> typically refers to instances of the inverse occurring: marrying a person of lower social class or status. |
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Revision as of 22:26, 29 August 2011
 Relationships (Outline) |
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Hypergamy (colloquially referred to as "marrying up") is the act or practice of seeking a spouse of higher socioeconomic status, or caste status than oneself.[1]
The term is often used more specifically in reference to a perceived tendency amongst human cultures for females to seek or be encouraged to pursue male suitors that are higher status than themselves, which often manifests itself as being attracted to comparatively older, wealthier or otherwise more privileged than themselves.[2] According to evolutionary psychologists, females have evolved a preference for higher status males because they offer their prospective children both "better" genes and greater resources, e.g. food and security. Men, who invest less in their children, have less reason to prefer mates with high social status. Some have even argued that men "marry-down" to ensure that their mates have a higher incentive to remain faithful.[3]
The word "hypogamy"[4] typically refers to instances of the inverse occurring: marrying a person of lower social class or status.
Society
Some evolutionary psychologists believe that women exhibit mate-selective preferences for spouses who are at least equal to them in terms of attained physical attractiveness, educational level, job status, social standing, and capital accumulation. In comparison, males would tend to place higher emphasis on the value of physical attractiveness in a woman alone.[5][6]
In an anthology about money and relationships by many prominent female writers, the authors expressed that the role money plays in determining how women select long-term male partners is often considered a taboo subject.[7]
Variance
One particular study found no statistical difference in the number of women or men "marrying-up" in a sample of 1109 first-time married couples in the United States.[8]
For citizens of rural India, hypergamy is an opportunity to modernize. Marriages in rural India are increasingly examples of hypergamy.[9] Farmers and other rural workers want their daughters to have access to city life, for with metropolitan connections comes internet access, better job opportunities, and higher caste social circles.[10] A connection in an urban area creates a broader social horizon for the bride’s family, and young children in the family can be sent to live with the couple in the city for better schooling. Hypergamy comes with a cost though: the dowry, which often costs much or more than an entire house.[11] The high price that has to be borne by the parents while marrying a daughter has led to increasing rates of female feticide.[12]
See also
References
- ^ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypergamy
- ^ http://depts.washington.edu/crfam/WorkingPapers/CRF%202004-01_Rose.pdf
- ^ Gilles Saint-Paul (May 2008), Genes, Legitimacy and Hypergamy: Another Look at the Economics of Marriage (PDF), vol. CEPR Discussion Paper No. DP6828, University of Toulouse I - GREMAQ-IDEI; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)
- ^ not to be confused with the botanical term hypogamous.
- ^ Buss, D.M.; Barnes, M. (1986), "Preferences in human mate selection" (PDF), Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 50 (3): 559–570, doi:10.1037/0022-3514.50.3.559
- ^ Bereczkei, T.; Voros, S.; Gal, A.; Bernath, L. (1997), "Resources, attractiveness, family commitment; reproductive decisions in human mate choice", Ethology, 103 (8): 681–699, doi:10.1111/j.1439-0310.1997.tb00178.x, PMID 12293453 [dead link]
- ^ Sachs, Andrea (Jan. 07, 2009). "The Truth About Women, Money and Relationships". Time Magazine. Retrieved 2009-07-24.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Dalmia & Sicilian; Sicilian, Paul (Volume 14, Number 4 / November, 2008), "Kids Cause Specialization: Evidence for Becker's Household Division of Labor Hypothesis", International Advances in Economic Research, 14, International Advances in Economic Research: 448, doi:10.1007/s11294-008-9171-x.
{{citation}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Caldwell, J.C. P.H. Reddy, Pat Caldwell. “The Causes of Marriage Change in South India.” Population Studies, Vol. 37, No. 3 (Nov., 1983), pp. 343-361. Print.
- ^ Barber, Jennifer. “Community Social Context and Individualistic Attitudes toward Marriage.” Social Psychology Quarterly, Vol. 67, No. 3 (Sep., 2004), pp. 236-256. Print.
- ^ Thornton, Arland. Dirgha J. Ghimire, William G. Axinn, Scott T. Yabiku. “Social Change, Premarital Nonfamily Experience, and Spouse Choice in an Arranged Marriage Society” American Journal of Sociology, Volume 111 Number 4 (January 2006): 1181–1218. Print.
- ^ Srivinsan, Padma. Gary R. Lee. “The Dowry System in Northern India: Women's Attitudes and Social Change.” Journal of Marriage and Family, Vol. 66, No. 5, Special Issue: InternationalPerspectives on Families and Social Change (Dec., 2004), pp. 1108-1117. Print.