How Technology Affected Behaviour in the 20th Century

A new IZA WP by Jeremy Greenwood and Nezih Guner, "Social Change", argues that technology has had a profound effect on human behaviour in the twentieth century. Abridged abstract below.

"... as technology changes, so might social norms. There were big changes in social norms during the 20th century, especially in sexual mores. In 1900 only six percent of unwed females engaged in premarital sex. Now, three quarters do. It is argued here that this was the result of technological improvement in contraceptives, which lowered the cost of premarital sex. The evolution from an abstinent to a promiscuous society is studied using an equilibrium matching model."