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An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

jeremygreenwood.net

1–10 of 62 posts

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#4
post #3

> There are 14 parameter values to determine, {β, ϕ, ζ, γ, δ, θ, ι, ω, μ, α, τ, λ, η, σ}. Using Greek letters may follow in the economics tradition, but it is a pain for humans who need to match up symbols with concepts.

Using easily readable/recognizable variable names is one thing computer programmers got right. It's always frustrating to read mathematic or economic models that use symbols instead.

I'm sure there's a good reason for it, but I haven't heard it yet.

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#5
post #3

> There are 14 parameter values to determine, {β, ϕ, ζ, γ, δ, θ, ι, ω, μ, α, τ, λ, η, σ}. Using Greek letters may follow in the economics tradition, but it is a pain for humans who need to match up symbols with concepts.

There are only two hard problems in computer science: cache invalidation, naming things, and off-by-one errors. - somebody

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#6
Interesting stuff, it's clear from this economics perspective that sexual behavior is tightly coupled to risks and societal influence. As birth control became more available, the risk of premarital sex went down dramatically. I think societal norms are slowly catching up with this, hence why "we" (i.e. Western nations) are more liberal now than say 70 years ago.

Here's a related thought experiment: could ever increasing divorce rates be explained similarly by risk? There is much less risk of divorcing now, women are about as financially independent as men, and it could be argued there is a greater safety net for single parents (e.g. [1]). This is interesting because it would imply that in the natural state of things, men's primary family purpose is/was as a provider/protector of some sort. So as that need diminishes, perhaps it shouldn't be the norm to expect everyone to get married.

[1] - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_Assistance_for_Needy_...

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#7
post #3

> There are 14 parameter values to determine, {β, ϕ, ζ, γ, δ, θ, ι, ω, μ, α, τ, λ, η, σ}. Using Greek letters may follow in the economics tradition, but it is a pain for humans who need to match up symbols with concepts.

Are you suggesting Greek letters are not suitable for human comprehension.

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#8
post #3

> There are 14 parameter values to determine, {β, ϕ, ζ, γ, δ, θ, ι, ω, μ, α, τ, λ, η, σ}. Using Greek letters may follow in the economics tradition, but it is a pain for humans who need to match up symbols with concepts.

Are you suggesting Greek letters are not suitable for human comprehension.

Presumably the poster would have about as much as a problem if the author picked the first 14 letters of the English alphabet.also, it is not a given that everyone knows the green alphabet, and it is harder to correlate symbols when you don't have familiarity and know the names of them.

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#9
post #6

Interesting stuff, it's clear from this economics perspective that sexual behavior is tightly coupled to risks and societal influence. As birth control became more available, the risk of premarital sex went down dramatically. I think societal norms are slowly catching up with this, hence why "we" (i.e. Western nations) are more liberal now than say 70 years ago. Here's a related thought experiment: could ever increas…

I agree with you but would quibble on one thing "women are about as financially independent as men"... I would say that women are about 70-80% as financially independent as men, due to the gender pay gap. That gap is even higher if you consider women's under representation in high paying jobs (e.g. tech).

However... That's light years better the past when women were essentially considered to be the property of their father or husband.

Re: An Economic Model of the Rise in Premarital Sex and Its De-Stigmatization [pdf]

#10
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you suggesting Greek letters are not suitable for human comprehension.

Presumably the poster would have about as much as a problem if the author picked the first 14 letters of the English alphabet.also, it is not a given that everyone knows the green alphabet, and it is harder to correlate symbols when you don't have familiarity and know the names of them.

I'm not sure that I would understand the green alphabet.
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