Trend that seems to be increasing: Many women in the world’s richer countries appear to seek Mr. Perfect, while their male counterparts are more willing to accept Ms. Goodenough

Skirbekk, V. (2022). Finding a Mate: Contemporary Partnership and Conception. Chapter in: Decline and Prosper!. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. Pp 217–245. Apr 1 2022. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-91611-4_12

Abstract: In many countries, marriage is no longer considered a prerequisite for childbearing. Cohabitation and children born outside of marriage are both on the rise. Advances in assisted reproductive technology have made it more feasible to have a child without a partner or within the context of a same-sex union, at least for women. In this chapter, I discuss the delay and decrease in marriage, the spread of cohabitation, how people find a mate, trends in same-sex unions, and how changes in partnerships have affected fertility. Although fewer people are married, marriage continues to be one of the most persistent and strongest determinants of fertility. Many individuals also appear to have problems finding a partner, although the reasons differ fundamentally for men and women.

Keywords: Partnership Union formation Mate selection Cohabitation and Marriage Same-sex partnerships In vitro fertilization