Today, I gave a talk on the economic implications of falling fertility
And two young women were unsure…
“Surely it’s a great win for women that many are exercising autonomy?”
To which I replied,…
🧵
1) Absolutely, in the past, many stayed in unhappy marriages due to economic dependence, shame and stigma of singledom
So increased freedom is a great advance
However …
2) In the U.S. & UK, the most educated (most autonomous) women are coupling up, because they’ve found loving partnerships and emotional connections which make them happy!!
Male-female friendships are a under-rated driver of gender equality.
When women can fraternise freely, they can share ideas, gain respect, & build empathy with men who care about their wants & welfare.
Countries with high male-female friendships score better on equality 👇
Even controlling for religion, education, age, marital status, immigration status, gender, and employment status,
Societies with more mixed gender facebook friends express stronger support for gender equality
- at university
- work
- politics
- equal rights
Sérgio Milliet was a close friend and great champion of Brazilian modernist artist Tarsila do Amaral, organising a major retrospective of her works in São Paulo.
His support (combined with her clear talent) cemented her reputation.
Economists keep questioning Generative AI's productivity - will it displace skilled labour?
My question is different: is online entertainment (making sports bets, listening to Rogan or playing Call of Duty) more engaging than hanging out with friends?