In this post, we’ll unpack all you need to know about the Sexual Marketplace, defining exactly what it is, how it relates to Sexual Market Value, why understanding it is important and more.
What Is Sexual Marketplace (SMP)?
The Sexual Marketplace (SMP) is a phrase used to refer to the metaphorical space where mating dynamics play out.
The Evolutionary Perspective
From an evolutionary perspective, men and women entered the Sexual Marketplace to exchange sex for security. Men provided women with security. Women provided men with sex.
The price of exchanges were determined by supply and demand of sex and recourses. When sex was in high demand, woman had more leverage. When security were in high demand, men had more leverage.
Sexual Marketplace & Sexual Market Value
Individuals compete in the SMP by enhancing their Sexual Market Value (SMV). This refers to one’s level of attractiveness towards the opposite sex.
Men prioritise fertility. Thus, women tend to compete based on characteristics that signal youth and health. Women prioritise security. Thus, men tend to compete based on characteristics that signal strength and recourses.
Local Versus Global SMP
Local SMP refers to the dynamics of mate selection within a specific, often smaller, social group. Here, choices are therefore influenced by local trends.
Global SMP refers to the dynamics of mate selection within a general, often bigger, social group. Here, choices are therefore influenced by global trends.
For most of human history, mate selection was limited to those within an individual’s immediate tribe due to geographical isolation and the necessity of maintaining recourses within that tribe. In other words, mating dynamics were defined by local SMP.
Why Understanding The SMP Is Important
Understanding the dynamics of the SMP is crucial because it arms individuals with the knowledge around mating dynamics. This helps them make more informed decisions and therefore ultimately enhances their ability to achieve their relationship goals.
Summary (TL;DR)
The Sexual Marketplace is a phrase used to refer to the metaphorical space where mating dynamics unfold.
Individuals thus compete in the SMP by enhancing their level of attractiveness towards the opposite sex. Men tend to compete based on characteristics that signal strength and recourses. Women tend to compete based on characteristics that signal youth and health.
Understanding the dynamics of the SMP is critical as it empowers individuals to make more informed decisions which therefore ultimately enhances their ability to achieve their relationship goals.
