This book presents an accessible and sometimes controversial economic exploration of numerous issues surrounding sex, marriage and family. It analyzes the role of 'vanity', defined as social status and self-esteem, in social and economic behaviors. In Veblen's theory of conspicuous consumption,...

It has been recently recognized that there is difference of preference between smokers and non-smokers. That is, smokers tend to be more impatient and prefer immediate benefits compared with non-smokers. If people follow their primitive instincts they will engage in sexual behavior. Hence,...

If they existed, markets for sex and markets for children would share a common feature: women sell and men demand. No society allows the trade in children, instead we have marriage. This article discusses biological and legal aspects of reproduction, and their implications for gender roles and...