Briffault’s Law is a sociological theory that suggests individuals, particularly men, should actively seek resources and establish mutual beneficial relationships, like friendships and partnerships, with others to attract potential sexual partners. The law also indicates that women will only stay in relationships if they see a continued benefit from being in the relationship. In essence, it implies that men need to constantly prove their value to women in order to maintain or develop romantic relationships with them, and once that value is gone, the relationship will end.
Modern society is subject to the implications of Briffault’s Law, as social relationships are still a fundamental part of human life. However, the context surrounding these relationships has shifted throughout time as social norms and gender roles have evolved. Romantically, individuals still tend to involve themselves in relationships that manifest from sharing resources. However, the significant consequence of Briffault’s Law in modern society is its role in the idea of objectification of women.
The idea of men prioritizing the acquisition of resources to attract sexual partners is problematic, as it suggests that women are objects that can be obtained through material possessions. This leads to a culture of inequality on the basis of gender, where men are pressured to acquire resources (and by extension, money and power), which perpetuates a historically male-dominated culture.
The first step to breaking away from the harmful implications of Briffault’s Law is by promoting the idea that women are not objects and should be valued as individual, self-sufficient beings. Breaking away from gender stereotypes and traditional gender roles, as well as prioritizing mutual respect and equality in relationships, can help eradicate the influence of Briffault’s Law in modern society.
The law is named after Robert Briffault, a British surgeon and author, who first articulated the concept in his 1931 book, “The Mothers: A Study of the Origins of Sentiments and Institutions.”
Though Briffault’s law was originally conceptualized using the example of heterosexual relationships, it can apply to all types of romantic relationships, regardless of the orientation or gender identity of the parties involved.
There may be some similarities between Briffault’s Law and the concept of “survival of the fittest”; however, the former suggests that individuals must prove their worth to others to attract romantic relationships, while the latter is a purely biological notion that refers to the natural selection process.
It is indeed a concern that men can also be objectified in society. However, Briffault’s Law specifically refers to the objectification of women, which is a systemic and historical injustice that requires analysis and rectification.
