The Economic Value of Virtue

Fabio Mariani ()

No 4875, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: Virtue is modeled as an asset that women can use in the marriage market: since men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving her virtue increases a woman's chances of marrying a high-status husband, and therefore allows for upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological evidence, we find that the prevalence (and the value) of virginity, across societies and over time, can be influenced by socio-economic factors such as male income inequality, gender differences, social status and stratification, and overall economic development.

Keywords: marriage; cultural values; social classes; mating; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D1 J12 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 23 pages
Date: 2010-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul, nep-evo and nep-soc
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Published - published in: Journal of Economic Growth, 2012, 17 (4), 323-356

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Related works:
Journal Article: The economic value of virtue (2012)
Working Paper: The economic value of virtue (2010)
Working Paper: The economic value of virtue (2008)
Working Paper: The economic value of virtue (2008)
Working Paper: The economic value of virtue (2008)
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