Introduction

Did intelligent boys and girls embark on vastly different marital journeys? A longitudinal

study conducted on newborns in Scotland in 1921 revealed a significant gender differences in the

association between IQ at age 11 and marital status in adulthood ---- for each 15-point increase in

IQ, the likelihood of marriage increased by approximately 35% for male but decreased by about

58% for female (Taylor et al., 2005). Despite potential methodological shortcomings, which may

limit the reliability and generalizability of the research results, exploring the underlying reasons

for this gender disparity in the context of heterosexual marriage remains valuable.

The concept and measurement of IQ in the study by Taylor et al (2005) will first be analyzed

and defined, as this is essential for analyzing the reasons behind the phenomena. Subsequently,

based on the earlier definition of IQ, the reasons behind this phenomenon will be explored from

two perspectives: males and females, both as (1) active choosers and (2) passive candidates in the

context of heterosexual marriage.

Concept and measurement of IQ in the context of heterosexual marriage

Intelligence quotient (IQ), is a numerical score derived from standardized tests designed to

assess human intelligence. The Moray House Test (MHT) Number 12, which Taylor et al (2005)

utilized to measure the IQ, assessed various cognitive domains such as verbal reasoning,

numerical ability, spatial ability, and logical reasoning (Deary et al., 2000). This comprehensive

assessment aligns with the concept of general intelligence or the 'g' factor, as proposed by Charles

Spearman (Gregory, 2006) The “general intelligence” suggests that intelligence has a single

underlying ability that influences performance across different cognitive tasks (Gregory, 2006).

Therefore, the subsequent analysis of IQ will be based on this operational definition of general

intelligence

Perspective of the Active Chooser: Gender Differences in the Benefits and

Drawbacks of Marriage

Marriage is recognized as one of the most crucial forms of social support for adults (Ruggles,
2016). When deciding whether to marry, individuals consider several critical aspects to maximize

the benefits of marriage, such as emotional support, financial support, as well as personal goals.

Therefore, marriage can be viewed as a decision-making process in which individuals evaluate the

pros and cons against their personal goals and criteria.

Individuals with higher IQs are better equipped to make informed decisions. On the one

hand, higher IQ correlates with improved performance in critical thinking, problem analysis,

problem-solving, and decision-making (Danner et al., 2011) . This cognitive advantage allows

high-IQ individuals to analyze the complexities, potential benefits and drawbacks of marriage

more effectively. On the other hand, high-IQ individuals often receive a better education, which

makes them more insightful about the implications of marriage. Research indicated that with

enhanced learning abilities and academic performance, high-IQ individuals often attend better

schools and receive higher-quality education (Rosander et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2017). This

educational advantage provides them with more knowledge and understanding about marriage.

Particularly, females are exposed to new perspectives and come to recognize the implication

imposed by patriarchal systems in marriage.

However, the informed choice regarding marriage differs for males and females, especially

those with high IQs, due to an inequality of benefits and drawbacks in marriage—males receive

more benefits while females experience more drawbacks. This inequality will be analyzed in detail

across four dimensions in this article: emotional support, financial support, career development

support, and the influence on physical and mental health.

Emotional support

Emotional support within a marriage often varies significantly between genders due to

traditional gender roles and gender stereotype ---- males typically receive more support while

females give more.. Rooted in patriarchal ideologies, traditional gender roles dictate that males

and females have inherently different responsibilities and statuses ---- males are seen as the

breadwinners, responsible for providing financial support and making major decisions for the

household, while females are expected to manage domestic duties and provide emotional labor

without financial compensation (Ruggles, 2016). Additionally, ideas of traditional masculinity

often prevent certain husbands from offering emotional support, even when their wives are facing

health challenges (Thomeer et al., 2015)As a results, females often provide emotional support to

their husbands and children, leading to emotional exhaustion (Posig & Kickul, 2004) and stress.

Conversely, males typically receive substantial emotional support from their spouses, resulting in

a sense of well-being.

For high-IQ females, this imbalance in emotional support is even more pronounced. These

females often pursue demanding careers that require significant intellectual and emotional

investment. Balancing a high-pressure job with the expectation to provide primary emotional

support at home can lead to severe emotional exhaustion and burnout (Lyu & Fan, 2022). Usually

well educated, high-IQ females are also more likely to recognize and be affected by the inequity in

emotional labor, which can result in heightened feelings of frustration and resentment.

Financial support

At the same time, as society evolves, the benefits of the traditional model of males providing

financial support to females are gradually diminishing, especially for high IQ females. The study

(Taylor et al., 2005) was conducted in a times when females have made significant progress in

education and career development. Possessing advanced education and professional skills enable

females to work independently and succeed in the workplace. Female’s increased economic

independence has reduced their reliance on males for financial support. This change is especially

pronounced among high-IQ females, who are more competitive and innovative in academic and

professional fields(Heilman & Okimoto, 2008), leading to higher incomes and a more stable

economic base (Danner et al., 2011; Taylor et al., 2005).

Support for career development

Career development support within marriage often favors males due to persistent gender

biases. Males are more likely to receive encouragement and resources to advance their careers,

whereas females may face obstacles such as a higher likelihood of career interruptions due to

childbirth and child-rearing responsibilities (Heilman & Okimoto, 2008). The traditional

“motherhood culture” and occupational discrimination also lead females to fewer opportunities for

advancement, lower salaries. High-IQ women, who typically have high career aspirations, may
find these obstacles particularly detrimental. The lack of spousal support for career development

can hinder their professional growth and lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and underachievement.

Influence on Mental and Physical health

Marriage can have diverse effects on mental and physical health, which are often gender-

specific. Males frequently experience improved mental and physical health due to the emotional

and practical support provided by their female spouses. Females, especially those with high IQs,

however, may suffer from poorer health outcomes due to the combined pressures of career and

domestic responsibilities. Herd (2022) indicated that married females have worse health than

unmarried females.

Individuals with higher IQs are better equipped to make informed choices. On the one hand,

individuals with high IQ are more insightful about the benefits and drawbacks of marriage,

especially for female. Individuals with higher IQs tend to have better learning abilities and achieve

better academic performance (Rosander et al., 2011; Wang et al., 2017). This often leads high-IQ

individuals to attend better schools and receive higher-quality education. Education can empower

female by exposing them to new perspectives and helping them recognize the limitations imposed

by patriarchal systems in marriage. On the other hand, IQ is an important indicator of cognitive

abilities, thus higher IQ correlates with improved performance in critical thinking, problem

analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making (Danner et al., 2011).

All the points above contribute to the varying likelihood of marriage as IQ increases. After

considering the cost and benefits of marriage, males with high IQs are more inclined to enter

marriage, whereas females with high IQs are more reluctant. Consequently, the marital rate

increases for males with higher IQs and decreases for females with higher IQs.

Therefore, after evaluating the costs and benefits of marriage against their personal goals and

criteria, males with high IQs are generally more inclined to marry due to the greater benefits they

receive. In contrast, females with high IQs are more reluctant to marry because they face more

drawbacks. Consequently, the marital rate increases for males with higher IQs and decreases for

females with higher IQs.

Perspective of the Passive Candidate: Gender Difference in Attractiveness as a
Partner with Increasing IQ

In contemporary society, IQ influences how individuals are perceived in terms of

attractiveness and suitability as marriage partners, because IQ is often find associated with various

social perceptions and social resources (Danner et al., 2011; Taylor et al., 2005). The stereotype

and resources associated with high IQ enhance male attractiveness by aligning with traditional

provider roles and mate preferences. However, it can have the opposite effect on females,

conflicting with traditional caregiving roles and preferences. Therefore, high-IQ males may be

more likely to be favored as marriage partners, while high-IQ females may not receive the same

level of preference. This disparity likely contributes to differences in marriage rates between

genders.

Traditional caregiving roles and social perceptions

Traditional gender roles dictate that males are seen as providers, while women are viewed as

caregivers. High IQ in males enhances their attractiveness by aligning with these provider roles.

Males with higher IQs are often perceived as having better career prospects, higher earning

potential, and greater social status. Research indicates that these traits are highly valued in

potential male partners. A study (Buss, 1989) by found that women across cultures prioritize

financial prospects and ambition in their mates, which are qualities often associated with high IQ.

Conversely, high IQ in women may conflict with traditional caregiving roles. Women with

higher IQs might prioritize their careers and personal achievement, which can be seen as

detracting from their availability for caregiving and domestic responsibilities. (Fismane et al.,

2006)found that while males value intelligence in partners, they often prefer women who do not

outperform them in these areas, potentially due to perceived threats to traditional gender roles and

ego.

This disparity in preferences likely contributes to differences in marriage rates between high-

IQ males and women. High-IQ males are often more likely to marry due to their desirability as

providers. In contrast, high-IQ women might face difficulties finding partners who appreciate their

intelligence without feeling threatened by it. Hitsch et al., 2010 found that while women generally
prefer males with higher education and intelligence, males do not exhibit the same preference for

women. This can lead to high-IQ women having lower marriage rates compared to their male

counterparts.

Mate preferences and sexual attractiveness

Men place a higher value on women's physical appearance and sexual attractiveness,

attributes not correlated with women's IQ. Therefore, an increase in IQ does not enhance a

woman's attractiveness to men. A study of 10,047 individuals from 33 countries across six

continents and five islands revealed that females place more importance on cues related to

resource acquisition in potential mates, such as income capacity, ambition, and industriousness. In

contrast, males prioritize characteristics indicative of reproductive capacity, such as youth,

physical attractiveness, and chastity (Buser et al., 2019).

In contrast, IQ may directly enhance male sexual attractiveness, independent of the resources

associated with IQ. A large-scale study involving a sample of 120,290 men examined the role of

individuals’ IQ in marital behavior. After controlling for tangible resources such as income and

social status symbols, the study found a positive correlation between IQ in early adulthood and the

likelihood of getting married (Aspara et al., 2018). This finding confirms the direct effect of

intelligence on marriage behavior, beyond its indirect effects through income, social status, and

other control variables. In other words, for males, human intelligence may serve as an intangible

fitness indicator, directly influencing mating prospects rather than merely exerting influence

through tangible resources like income and social status.

Discussion

The study by Taylor et al. (2005) reveals the influence of IQ on marital outcomes, prompting

reflection on the evolving nature of marital decisions in contemporary society. This article

analyzes the likelihood of marriage for males and females, considering them as both active

choosers and passive candidates. Our analysis reveals two key points: (1) from a socio-cultural

perspective, traditional gender roles and societal expectations disproportionately benefit high-IQ

males while disadvantaging high-IQ females in the marriage market; (2) from an evolutionary
perspective, mate preferences rooted in resource acquisition and reproductive capacity contribute

to higher marriage rates for high-IQ males and lower rates for high-IQ females. These perspectives

encourage continued exploration into how societal shifts and biological characteristics shape

marital choices and opportunities, aiming to foster greater equity and understanding in relationship

dynamics across genders and intelligence levels.

While socio-cultural and evolutionary perspectives provide some explanation and evidence

for the disparity in marriage rates, it is also important to consider how these dynamics are

changing in modern society. Increasing gender equality and shifts in societal norms may alter the

relationship between IQ and marriage over time. Further research is needed to understand these

evolving trends and their implications.