Social Change

Jeremy Greenwood and Nezih Guner

No 6125, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: Society is characterized by the common attitudes and behaviour of its members. Such behaviour reflects purposive decision making by individuals, given the environment they live in. Thus, as technology changes, so might social norms. There were big changes in social norms during the 20th Century, especially in sexual mores. In 1900 only six percent of unwed females engaged in premarital sex. Now, three quarters do. It is argued here that this was the result of technological improvement in contraceptives, which lowered the cost of premarital sex. The evolution from an abstinent to a promiscuous society is studied using an equilibrium-matching model.

Keywords: The sexual revolution; Technological progress in contraceptives (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: E1 J1 O3 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-02
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-evo, nep-ino and nep-mac
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Working Paper: Social Change (2008)
Working Paper: Social Change (2006)
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