In Sweden, men with limited resources are considered less attractive; male financial resources are not seen as a bonus, but rather a prerequisite; sexual exchange theory is then a useful theory

Ngaosuvan, Leonard and Holmberg, Linus Carl and Saleh Al-Basri, Naila and Elshani, Rebecca, Sexual Economics in Swedish Dating: Pity Poor Men. SSRN, Jan 29 2022: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4020856

Abstract: Sexual exchange theory (SET) is a controversial theory describing heterosexual partner selection in terms of economic market factors. This paper explores SET empirically in Sweden, one of the most financially equal nations in the world. Experiment 1, a vignette study with four dating profiles, tested whether access to resources increases male attractiveness. Experiment 2, a vignette study measured how justifiable men’s disappointment was, depending on financial courtship investments in a failed courtship attempt. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that, even in Sweden, men with limited resources are considered less attractive. Male financial resources are not seen as a bonus, but rather a prerequisite. In Experiment 2, participants felt that it was not justifiable to be disappointed for men who were ‘cheap’ in courtship. These results indicate that SET is a useful theory, even in a relatively gender-equal society.

Keywords: Sexual Economics, Gender equality, Partner Selection, Attraction, Courtship, Sexual Exchange Theory.