The Impact of IQ on Marriage Likelihood: Gender Differences in the UK

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between intelligence (IQ) and marriage likelihood, with a focus on gender disparities, particularly in the UK and China. Previous studies have shown that higher intelligence increases the likelihood of marriage for men, while it decreases for women. Through an interdisciplinary analysis of evolutionary, sociological, and biological factors, this paper seeks to explain why such disparities exist. The research highlights that evolutionary pressures traditionally associate intelligence in men with resource acquisition, making them desirable partners, whereas highly intelligent women often face societal resistance due to gender norms that devalue their career achievements in favor of caregiving roles. In the context of China, Confucianism and traditional gender roles further accentuate these disparities, particularly through the persistent practice of hypergamy. The paper concludes with a discussion of how evolving gender roles, media representation, and policy changes can influence future marriage patterns for intelligent women in both the UK and China.