This paper studies the evolution of mate preferences throughout the twentieth century in France. I digitized all the matrimonial ads published in France’s best-selling monthly magazine from 1928 to 1994. Using dictionary-based methods, I show that mate preferences were mostly stable during the Great Depression, WWII, and the ensuing economic boom. These preferences started transforming in the late 1960s when economic criteria were progressively replaced by personality criteria. The timing coincides with profound family and demographic changes in French society. These findings suggest that, in the search for a long-term partner, non-material needs have replaced material ones.

中文翻译：

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从物质需求到非物质需求？20 世纪法国配偶偏好的演变

本文研究了整个 20 世纪法国配偶偏好的演变。我将 1928 年至 1994 年间在法国最畅销的月刊上发布的所有婚姻广告数字化。使用基于字典的方法，我表明在大萧条、二战和随后的经济繁荣期间，配偶偏好基本稳定。这些偏好在 1960 年代后期开始转变，当时经济标准逐渐被人格标准取代。时机恰逢法国社会深刻的家庭和人口变化。这些发现表明，在寻找长期合作伙伴的过程中，非物质需求已经取代了物质需求。