She Strengthens

The Unseen Driver of Income Inequality: Power Couples and Assortative Mating

A recent article in the New York Times by economist Tyler Cowen sheds light on a crucial aspect of income inequality: the growing trend of high-powered individuals seeking partners with similar social status. This phenomenon, known as assortative mating, has significant implications for social mobility and perpetuates inequality across generations.

The Rise of Power Couples

Assortative mating is not a new concept, but its prevalence has increased significantly over the years. According to Cowen, there are more power couples today than in the past, with individuals pairing off with those who share similar income and educational backgrounds. This trend is particularly concerning, as it reinforces existing social and economic divisions.

Perpetuating Inequality

The consequences of assortative mating are far-reaching. When individuals from similar backgrounds pair off, they create prosperous and happy family alliances, but they also perpetuate inequality across generations. This development may prove to be one of the most significant and hardest to counter in the long run. The clustering of wealth, opportunity, and access to quality education among the privileged few exacerbates the issue, making it even more challenging to address.

The Unconscious Bias

What makes this problem even more difficult to tackle is that it often manifests at an unconscious level. Our values, morals, goals, and dreams are shaped by societal expectations, making it hard to distinguish between genuine intentions and those influenced by external factors. This unconscious bias can lead to a perpetuation of the status quo, where those with limited access to opportunities continue to struggle, while those with privilege maintain their advantage.

A Gilded Age Mentality

The idea of marrying for social mobility or wealth is reminiscent of the Gilded Age, a time when this practice peaked. However, it declined significantly during the 1940-1950s, a period marked by greater income equality. Unfortunately, this trend has been on the rise again, and it’s essential to rethink our approach to marriage and relationships.

The Modern Face of Assortative Mating

Tinder, a popular dating app, is a modern example of assortative mating in action. As Cowen notes, “Today, we rightfully reject the idea of eugenics as repugnant, yet we are conducting our own experiments in mating, without much careful thought as to where they will lead.” It’s crucial to acknowledge the role we play in perpetuating income inequality and take steps to change our mindset.

Breaking the Cycle

While we cannot eradicate income inequality overnight, we can start by recognizing the impact of assortative mating on our society. By being more mindful of our intentions and values, we can work towards creating a more equitable future. It’s time to rethink our approach to relationships and challenge the notion that marrying up is the key to success.