5 Comments

The sexual double standard: also known as attempting to deal with asymmetric risks. Those risks have, of course, also been changing rather quickly.

Expand full comment

Precisely so. The risks of women of an unwanted or unsupported pregnancy are vastly higher. And the advent of reliable contraception is one of the things which has changed the risks beyond recognition.

Expand full comment

Beach of promise of marriage is the only tort to inspire a 19th century comic operetta: Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial By Jury.

Expand full comment

It’s actually great fodder for drama generally! Although, for this reason, the courts prefer to keep away from it…

Expand full comment