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Hypergamy is the act of marrying someone from a higher social class, often encouraged by the bride’s parents. Women are more commonly known for this, often for financial reasons or to raise their social status. Men can also engage in hypergamy, but care more about physical attractiveness.
Hypergamy refers to the act of marrying someone from a higher social class. Women are most commonly shown to do this, but men can do it as well. There are various reasons for this, and in many cultures it is encouraged by a bride’s parents to raise the rank of the family. Until recently, hypergamy was considered standard for many women.
The reasons for hypergamy are varied. One of the most common reasons one may choose to marry someone from a higher social class is due to financial hardship. A woman can choose a “wealthy” man to escape poverty. In this case, the male suitor shouldn’t even be exceptionally wealthy. For those who are poor, any educated man with a decent, paying job would be considered a prime candidate for marriage.
Other times, a woman may engage in hypergamy to raise her social status far above average. This is what is commonly called a “gold digger”. The woman or suitor in this case cannot be impoverished, but is someone who wants to be rich and have a high level of social welfare. Marrying a man who is much older is common in this situation, and the woman is expected to be young and beautiful.
Reasons women are more notorious for hypergamy include the fact that women usually crave security in a marriage, while men care more about physical attractiveness. While both partners may want someone who is smart, thoughtful, and fun, women are more likely to be interested in social status and wealth than men. Similarly, a man is more likely to marry a woman with no social status but an attractive appearance. This will vary with the individual.
In many cultures, hypergamy is encouraged by the bride’s parents. This was true of Western nations until recently, and in many societies this is still the general rule. When a woman marries into a wealthy family, the husband usually makes sure that the parents are well looked after. This, in a sense, moves the whole family into a higher social class. The father of the bride may also have more career opportunities thanks to her new acquaintances. Also, in some countries men traditionally move in with the bride’s family, thus giving the family more wealth as a whole.
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