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Dating Preferences and Meeting Opportunities in Mate Choice Decisions

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  • Francesconi, M
  • Belot, M

Abstract

Much empirical evidence shows that female and male partners look alike along a variety of attributes. It is however unclear how this positive sorting comes about, because marriage is an equilibrium outcome arising from a process that entails searching, meeting and choosing one another. This study takes advantage of a unique data set to shed light on the forces driving choices at the earliest stage of a relationship. Both women and men value physical attributes, such as age and weight, and reveal that their dating choices are assortative along several traits. Importantly, meeting opportunities are found to have a substantial role in determining dating proposals.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesconi, M & Belot, M, 2011. "Dating Preferences and Meeting Opportunities in Mate Choice Decisions," Economics Discussion Papers 2574, University of Essex, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:esx:essedp:2574
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