Saturday, November 12, 2011

Love Model

Economists love models. Here, I attempt to set up a simple descriptive model I call the "Love Search" Model.

Let M (for male) be seeking a quality long-term partner (not trashy one-stands). A few assumptions have to be made on M. Assume M only chases single girls of an age close to his. It is also assumed that once an M is attached to a quality girl, she does not re-enter the market. The model postulates that as M ages, his possibility of getting attached decreases, until it becomes zero by the time M reaches a certain age

This, of course, explains not the real world. 
  1. The first few assumptions boldly suggest that no "bastards"* exist. But they do, either as thieves of other Ms quality girls, or poor-maintainers of their own that cause quality girls to return to the market. 
  2. The probability of M getting hitched need not decrease with age if he is willing to marry ever younger girls, and this is commonly so in the real world.  
  3. A wrongful (standard) assumption is the stability of preferences, and this works both from Ms on quality girls and vice versa. 
  4. Asymmetical information on the availability of quality girls (and Ms) means Ms may have no access to quality girls at all.
Some advice for the lonely ageing Ms from this model (policy recommendations?). Be a "bastard", chase younger girls, adjust preferences, increase market information. This model could do with more refinement, but I had enough fun. Constructive comments are greatly welcomed.

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