The Economics of Sex

Reviews the book, Dollars and Sex: How Economics Influences Sex and Love by Marina Adshade (see record 2013-09269-000). Adshade applies economic theories regarding supply and demand, costs and benefits, and market forces to explain and predict sexual activity among adolescents, young adults, and older adults. She explores current societal issues regarding unwanted pregnancies, the rise in sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among certain groups, differing divorce rates among groups, and gender differences regarding infidelity. Adshade also points out that certain groups of young people are overrepresented in statistics regarding adolescent births and STDs due to their experience of inequality. Adshade also examines marriage and divorce in her book through the lens of economics. Also, Adshade refers to current trends in sexual behavior, specifically regarding Internet dating, sexually active older adults, and the controversies regarding preventing pregnancies and STDs among teens and young adults. She presents microeconomics theories regarding choice, which would dovetail nicely with social psychology theories regarding attitudes and beliefs in romantic relationships. The book seems most appropriate for human sexuality or psychology audiences interested in studying sexual relationships using a behavioral economics framework. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)