| 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. |