By Ryan Shorthouse 5 Comments

Listen, I know it was eight years ago. But I'm still miffed that I got a lower mark in my A-Level English coursework than this girl. I mean, English was my thing: I always got the best grades. My theory? She was pretty, and the teacher fancied her. To which my parents said: “Don't be silly”.

Well, dear parents, last week I found out that I could well be right. Whilst reading the latest edition of the European Sociological Review, as you do, I stumbled on an article by Dr Catherine Hakim on the importance of erotic capital for success in modern societies. Yes, that girl ruthlessly deployed her erotic capital on our English teacher. The flirtation and requests for extra tuition, so he could salivate over her perfectly curved body and dreamy brown eyes, actually worked.

In all seriousness though, many women - and indeed men - use their sexuality for self-advancement. Look at pop stars, footballers wives, glamour models. Too many snarl at them, berate them for their supposed stupidity. But they're actually rather clever. Especially if they are from modest backgrounds, the cultural, economic and social capital needed to thrive in society is hard to attain. Many often haven't got the good schooling to go on to university or the contacts to bag crucial work experience. So, faced with a deeply socially immobile society, these boys and girls are skilfully utilising alternative assets to have a greater chance of climbing upwards in the mating and labour market.

These ‘airheads' are taking advantage of the sexualisation of society which has led to erotic capital being incredibly useful. Sexual liberation and social liberalism has allowed sexuality to be prominent in our identities and interactions. Advertising, films and the internet have made sex a central and popular part of our culture. Sexiness is aspired to: a quality we now celebrate. And the move towards a service-based economy – where employees have to interact with and persuade customers and clients – makes sexiness, which includes charm and affability as well as physical beauty, critical for success

Good-looking people can earn up to 13% more than average-looking people[i]. The most attractive lawyers are 20% more likely to achieve partnership in their firm[ii]. Research shows that teachers invest more time in cute children[iii]. Prettier girls are more likely to be married and live in higher income households[iv].

Last year, a study found that attractiveness has a roughly equal effect as qualifications on earnings[v]. For those graduates who can't find a job, or have lost one, stop to think before you invest in a postgrad to stand out from the crowd. Maybe paying for a bit of ‘work' may be better? I mean, have you seen the fees at the LSE?

But Hakim's thesis does raise serious questions about every politician's wish: equality of opportunity. Some people have genes which make them better looking than others. Hakim says class plays a role too – since richer men, the lucky gits that they are, are more likely to bag attractive woman, making richer children more likely to be endowed with erotic capital. Attractiveness, of course, can be worked on. But enhancements – gyming, beauty products, surgery, healthy food, clothes – can be costly.

So if politicians were serious about equalising opportunity, two courses of action are available to them. Firstly, they could try to repress sexuality in our culture to try and lessen the importance of attractiveness. Ban lads mags like FHM and Nuts. Demand everyone wear the same uniforms in all schools and workplaces. Require companies to publish details comparing the pay of attractive and less attractive employees. Insist on a quota of less attractive people on company boards and around the cabinet table. Sound a bit repressive? Just a bit.

Alternatively, they could live with the world as it is: sexualised. But better support those who don't have the resources to make themselves more attractive so they have a fairer shot. Tax credits for make-up. Vouchers for gym membership. Free workshops in how to be socially attractive. Benefits for nicer clothes. Bonkers? Well, certainly not a vote winner.

If you were truly serious about equalising opportunity, you'd have to do something to correct the unfair distribution of erotic capital which clearly creates more success at school, in the workplace and in relationships.

---------


[i] http://esr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jcq014v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=erotic capital&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
[ii] http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/2010/03/have-you-got-erotic-capital/
[iii] http://www.esrc.ac.uk/ESRCInfoCentre/about/CI/CP/societynow/Issue1/perceivingbeauty.aspx
[iv] http://esr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jcq014v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=erotic capital&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT
[v] http://esr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/jcq014v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=erotic capital&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

Join the discussion Have opinions on this matter? Why not get involved and comment on this below.

Become a Member Joining ResPublica give you an exclusive amount of features. Gain early access to ResPublica events, contribute to topics and much more.

About The Authors