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So from that data, which I have no reason to doubt, women have the edge, especially more attractive women. Men have a distinct disadvantage which was also appa

So from that data, which I have no reason to doubt, women have the edge, especially more attractive women. Men have a distinct disadvantage which was also apparent from the gender skew. If women have an edge there, especially more attractive ones, I would expect more would join to gain that advantage. Likewise, men having such unfavorable odds, I would expect they would drop out. But AFAICT, the gender skew has remained pretty static across time and across apps. So why don't women (especially more attractive ones) join to get the advantage and why do men keep joining if the odds are against them? Do the apps repel (attractive) women? Do they even need the advantage? I would expect attractive women don't have the problem of needing to find dates but maybe not. Maybe attractiveness is just a relative thing and you need to have such a gender skew for women to filter out who is attractive and who isn't.

fossuser 7y ago
Purely speculative and something I haven't thought that much about, but my immediate answer is that men are more desperate and trying everything they can. Women have an easier time getting attention/dates in general so fewer of them bother with online dating at all.
paulddraper 7y ago
> I would expect more would join to gain that advantage. Likewise, men having such unfavorable odds, I would expect they would drop out The issue is inelastic demand, especially in the serious dating/non-hookup category. Most people are looking for 1 mate; there's little desire to continue past finding one, and little desire to quit when not finding one. So point-in-time membership of dating sites tends to amplify existing skews. > Do the apps repel (attractive) women? The stereotype is that men are attracted to beauty and women to power. The former is inherently more readily represented on a dating app.

fossuser 7y ago

Purely speculative and something I haven't thought that much about, but my immediate answer is that men are more desperate and trying everything they can. Women have an easier time getting attention/dates in general so fewer of them bother with online dating at all.

paulddraper 7y ago

> I would expect more would join to gain that advantage. Likewise, men having such unfavorable odds, I would expect they would drop out The issue is inelastic demand, especially in the serious dating/non-hookup category. Most people are looking for 1 mate; there's little desire to continue past finding one, and little desire to quit when not finding one. So point-in-time membership of dating sites tends to amplify existing skews. > Do the apps repel (attractive) women? The stereotype is that men are attracted to beauty and women to power. The former is inherently more readily represented on a dating app.