| Abstract: |
Virtue is modeled as an asset that women can use in the marriage market: since
men value virginity in prospective mates, preserving her virtue increases a
woman's chances of marrying a high-status husband, and therefore allows for
upward social mobility. Consistent with some historical and anthropological
evidence, we find that the prevalence (and the value) of virginity, across
societies and over time, can be influenced by socio-economic factors such as
male income inequality, gender differences, social status and stratification,
and overall economic development. |