Evolutionary Psychologist Explains Why Slut-Shaming Exists

TL;DR

Slut-shaming and simp-shaming in the mating market are both driven by a tragedy of the commons effect, where individuals enforce norms to prevent the devaluation of sex and resources. This analysis explores the game theory perspective behind these dynamics.

Transcript

i took a quote from mate and i put it in a newsletter the other day so i'm gonna two of both of our obsessions game theory and um dating dynamics um so this was to do with slut-shaming uh female promiscuity has a tragedy of the commons effect in the mating market if one woman offers [ __ ] on the second date it's harder for other women to keep them... Read More

Key Insights

• 🕵️‍♀️ Female promiscuity and male resource commitment both face a tragedy of the commons effect in the mating market.
• ❓ Slut-shaming and simp-shaming are used to enforce more restrained sexual and resource giving norms.
• 🧔‍♀️ Women enforce slut-shaming to protect the sexual marketplace from becoming a price war of easy sex, while men enforce simp-shaming to prevent the devaluation of men's resources.
• 🎮 Cultural norms often aim to control the mating dynamics of individuals.
• 👨‍🏭 Men who work on their charisma or social skills may face an "ick factor" due to a wariness of machiavellian or narcissistic traits.
• 👨‍🏫 Many men lack guidance in navigating the modern mating market, as K-12 education and male mentors often neglect teaching such skills.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Female promiscuity has a tragedy of the commons effect, where if one woman offers sex on the second date, other women feel pressured to do the same to stay in the mating game. This leads to slut-shaming as a way to enforce a more restrained sexual norm.

• Male resource commitment faces a similar tragedy of the commons effect, where men feel they have to offer more gifts and resources to women to stay in the mating game. Simp-shaming is then used to enforce a restrained resource giving norm on other men.

• Women are often the enforcers of slut-shaming because they have an incentive to protect the sexual marketplace from becoming a price war of easy sex. Similarly, men are the enforcers of simp-shaming to prevent the devaluation of all men's resources.