In 2015, Jon Birger captured the attention of newspapers, women’s magazines, and college publications with his book Date-onomics: How Dating Became a Lopsided Numbers Game. Using economics, statistics, and psychology, Birger shows how a skewed sex ratio in American society has put college-educated women at a disadvantage as they look for a long-term partner. “There have been multiple studies showing that college-educated Americans are increasingly unlikely to marry someone lacking a college degree,” Birger noted in an interview with Glamour Magazine. Moreover, the influence of hookup culture over people’s long-term preferences spells frustration for those actively seeking serious partners and a loss of time for those who don’t realize they desire a deeper commitment.
