For years, the term “gold digger” has been aimed at women who lure in rich men with deep pockets to satisfy their expensive tastes. It’s a stereotype that has been reinforced in pop culture, dating discourse, and even casual conversation.
But decades later, a new study shows that that narrative may be far more outdated than many people realize. Women aren’t the only ones dating for money.
In fact, men are just as likely to enter romantic relationships for the purpose of chasing after wealth. The latest findings challenge long-held assumptions about who benefits from gold-digging strategies.
Researchers from the Behavioral and Social Sciences Institute in Vienna asked 351 people, all approximately age 30, to complete a survey about their dating preferences.
The survey took into account each participant’s personality, demographic, and societal factors, such as political orientation. The 15-part questionnaire centered around the theme of whether wealth and financial stability or faithfulness were more important.
Overall, the results painted a complex picture. Gold digging was not confined to one gender or group. Instead, it appeared across a range of identities.
The researchers discovered that non-heterosexual leftist men scored higher in gold-digging traits than other groups. Non-heterosexual, mid-left women scored higher than heterosexual women. In comparison, non-heterosexual right-wing women scored lower on gold-digging.
“Gold digging emerged as an exploitative mating strategy beyond a simple preference for resourceful partners,” wrote the experts. “It was observed among both sexes.”
Additionally, the study found interesting links between gold-digging tendencies and certain personality traits. Gold digging was associated with narcissism, psychopathy, and high population density (living in big cities).
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Gold diggers were also more likely to be students, possibly reflecting financial pressures or transitional life stages. Female gold diggers were found to be sadistic and leaned toward right-wing ideology.
When it came to male gold diggers, they tended to present themselves as sensitive and progressive so that women would be more drawn to them and not as quick to write them off.
“These men increase their mating value by positioning themselves as compassionate, caring, and empathetic,” said Lennart Freyth, a psychologist and the lead researcher of the study.
“This way, women consider them less of a red flag. Being agreeable at first glance makes you seem less threatening than someone who questions the status quo.”
“Keep in mind that even a guy who appears thoughtful and compassionate might have interests beyond your character,” he added.
The findings suggest that the age-old idea that only women date for money seriously might need to be rewritten. As modern dating norms evolve alongside economic shifts, both men and women may be approaching romantic relationships with a more strategic mindset.
The study was published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences.
By Emily Chan
Emily Chan is a writer who covers lifestyle and news content. She graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in... More about Emily Chan
