Dollars and Sex Book Summary - Dollars and Sex Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Dollars and Sex summary

Marina Adshade

How Economics Influences Sex and Love

4.1 (59 ratings)
17 mins

Brief summary

In "Dollars and Sex" by Marina Adshade, the author explores the intersections of love and money. From online dating to prostitution, Adshade examines the economics of sex and love in a fascinating, data-driven approach.

Topics
Table of Contents

    Dollars and Sex
    Summary of 7 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 7

    In many societies, liberal views on female sexuality have led to more freedom.

    If you were to compare your views on sexuality to those of your grandparents, there’s a good chance that your attitude would prove to be the less conservative one.

    Over time, most societies have grown more promiscuous, and that’s no longer a sign of declining morality. Today’s educated and independent women are more promiscuous than those of previous generations, and there’s an interesting economic explanation. The women of today can afford to be promiscuous.

    Most fundamentally, they have the means to buy their own contraceptives, which protect them from STDs and inopportune or unwanted pregnancies. What’s more, today’s women are sufficiently empowered to insist that the contraceptives are used correctly.

    If we go back just one or two generations, women weren’t half as free. Unmarried women who maintained sexual relationships with more than one man were essentially pariahs. They were publicly shamed and their reputations were forever tarnished.

    Today, however, premarital and extramarital relationships are far more socially acceptable. So are pregnancies that result from such relationships. Since the average educated woman earns much more now than she would have a generation ago, she is in a position to raise a child on her own if she so desires. And, if she chooses to terminate the pregnancy, that is also a socially acceptable, not to mention affordable, decision.

    Thanks to these developments, women today are better able to cope with the difficulties that often accompany an unexpected pregnancy.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Dollars and Sex?

    Key ideas in Dollars and Sex

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Dollars and Sex about?

    Dollars and Sex (2013) demystifies the complex issues of sex and love by looking beyond the raging hormones and cultural mores and exploring the driving force behind most of the world’s sexual trends: economics. By applying simple economic theory, we can better understand why we regard romance the way we do as well as why contemporary relationships face so many challenges.

    Dollars and Sex Review

    Dollars and Sex (2013) offers a fascinating exploration of the relationship between money and sex, providing unique insights into human behavior and societal norms. Here are three reasons why this book is worth reading:

    • Through meticulously researched data and thought-provoking analysis, it sheds light on the hidden economic forces that shape our intimate lives.
    • By examining diverse cultural practices and historical contexts, the book challenges conventional wisdom and offers new perspectives on love, desire, and the role of money.
    • Its accessible and engaging approach ensures that even complex topics are presented in a way that keeps readers captivated, proving that economics can be anything but boring.

    Best quote from Dollars and Sex

    ...when women are abundant, there is far less traditional dating and far more hooking up.

    —Marina Adshade
    example alt text

    Who should read Dollars and Sex?

    • Economists and cognitive scientists
    • Readers curious about the relationship between money and love
    • Couples hoping to learn more about sexual and marital behavior

    About the Author

    Dr. Marina Adshade, PhD, teaches at the University of British Columbia’s School of Economics. She regularly writes for the Globe and Mail and is a frequent contributor to publications such as Time and the Wall Street Journal.

    Categories with Dollars and Sex

    Book summaries like Dollars and Sex

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Dollars and Sex FAQs 

    What is the main message of Dollars and Sex?

    Understand the economics of sex and relationships.

    How long does it take to read Dollars and Sex?

    Reading time: several hours; Blinkist summary: 15 minutes.

    Is Dollars and Sex a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Worth reading for insights into the interplay between money and relationships.

    Who is the author of Dollars and Sex?

    The author of Dollars and Sex is Marina Adshade.

    What to read after Dollars and Sex?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Dollars and Sex, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism by Kristen Ghodsee
    • The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
    • The Art of Reading Minds by Henrik Fexeus
    • Shameless by Nadia Bolz-Weber
    • Psychological Types by Carl Jung
    • Atomic Habits by James Clear
    • How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart by Meggan Roxanne
    • Dopamine Detox by Thibaut Meurisse
    • Mind Magic by James R. Doty
    • The Overthinking In Relationships Fix by Rodney Noble