ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at economic analysis of love, then move to economic analysis of sex, then consider some methodological reflections. It argues that the challenges associated with applying economics to sex and love force difficult and contentious decisions about how these should be understood and valued, not only with respect to self-interest but also with respect to gender and the role that sex and love play in our lives. Economics deals with money and markets, while love and sex are personal and nonquantitative. Marriage typically involves some degree of economic partnership, and economic factors shape marital choices and the decisions families make in spending and apportioning resources. Economist and legal theorist Gillian Hadfield points out that women’s role in the theory is largely relegated to that of provider of sexual pleasure. Ann Cudd suggests using economic models to figure out incentives for others to do their fair share.
