In Bangladesh, parents select men (90% of marriages are arranged) based on earning power/education, family reputation, and looks, in that order. American culture by contrast immerses women in this narrative that what’s important in a man is sense of humor, sensitivity, impulsive romanticism, etc. Indeed, American culture portrays women who prioritize the things that Bangladeshi moms tell their daughters to prioritize quite negatively.

This hurts women in two ways. First it makes them more likely to select shiftless men who will run out in their families to pursue their dreams of being YouTube stars. Second, by setting cultural expectations and incentives, it increases the supply of such men.