The concept of the “trophy wife” has evolved, according to new research from the University of Bath. The study indicates that the dynamics of beauty and status in marriages are no longer one-sided. After tying the knot, both partners adjust their appearances based on income changes, effectively creating a “trophy spouse” phenomenon.
Dr. Joanna Syrda, an Assistant Professor in the School of Management, led the research examining how relative income affects body mass index (BMI) and physical activity among couples. The study analyzed data from 3,744 heterosexual, dual-earner couples over a span of 20 years, focusing on the correlation between one partner’s income and the other’s physical attributes.
The traditional notion of a wealthy man marrying a younger, attractive woman as a status symbol has shifted. Syrda’s findings reveal that the marriage ceremony does not solidify these roles; instead, both spouses adapt their behaviors over time. “When a wife’s share of income rises, her husband slims down,” Syrda stated. Conversely, when a husband earns more, his wife may also modify her fitness levels.
The research builds on the established “beauty-status exchange” theory, which posits that physical attractiveness and social status can be viewed as exchangeable assets within relationships. Prior studies primarily focused on this exchange during the initial stages of a relationship. Syrda’s work extends this analysis into married life, uncovering a more balanced dynamic.
The study utilized two key measures: the wife’s relative income and BMI, calculated from self-reported height and weight. Relative income is defined as one partner’s earnings compared to the other’s total. For instance, if a wife earns $60,000 and her husband earns $40,000, her relative income is 60%. This contrasts with absolute income, which indicates the actual amount a person earns.
Syrda’s research revealed that while the trophy wife pattern holds true at the start of a marriage—where wives’ BMI correlates negatively with husbands’ relative income—this dynamic becomes more equitable over time. As one partner’s income rises, the other’s BMI tends to decrease, indicating that both spouses are actively engaging in the beauty-status exchange.
Interestingly, these changes in BMI were linked to increased physical activity, suggesting that income shifts prompt deliberate efforts to maintain attractiveness. College-educated women, for instance, exhibited a stronger connection between their income and BMI, possibly due to demanding professional roles that limit time for fitness. In contrast, college-educated men sometimes gained weight when their wives’ earnings increased, potentially redirecting focus towards work and status reaffirmation.
Syrda remarked, “As incomes rise or fall, people respond not just financially but physically, subtly reshaping themselves to preserve what feels like fairness or desirability within the relationship.” The research indicates that significant shifts in one spouse’s status can destabilize relationships if both partners do not adapt accordingly. In this sense, marriage can be viewed as an ongoing negotiation where partners must continually assess their contributions to the relationship.
While the study provides valuable insights, it does have limitations. The data, sourced from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), was collected biennially, making it challenging to observe short-term changes. Additionally, the sample size of newlyweds was relatively small, potentially affecting insights into early marriage dynamics. The reliance on BMI as a measure of attractiveness is also a simplification, as it does not account for variables such as muscle mass and personal appeal.
Despite these limitations, the findings highlight that marriage is a fluid exchange where partners continuously rebalance contributions of status and attractiveness. The traditional trophy wife stereotype persists but has evolved into a more equitable framework, with both men and women responding to shifts in income.
Social changes are also evident. The rise of male grooming markets and the prominence of fitness influencers reflect a growing trend where men are increasingly invested in their appearance. This shift towards aesthetic parity suggests a new dynamic in the way attractiveness is perceived and pursued by both genders.
Syrda’s study has been published in the journal Economics & Human Biology, contributing to our understanding of the intricate relationship between income and physical appearance in modern marriages.
