Smart women are freezing their eggs because of ‘man deficit’

More and more women are freezing their eggs because they can’t find men who are their mental match, according to a new study.

As reported by The Independent, new research from Yale University suggests that there is a growing disparity between men and women’s education levels, resulting in an ‘oversupply’ of educated women.

The study – which examined 150 women in the US and Israel – found that 81 percent of women who were ‘preserving’ their eggs were doing so because they could not find an appropriate life partner with a corresponding intellect.

“There is a major gap – they are literally missing men,” said author of the study and Professor of Anthropology at Yale, Marcia Ihorn. “There are not enough college graduates for them. In simple terms, this is about an oversupply of educated women.”

The study debunks the assumption that single or unmarried women are freezing their eggs because they are choosing to prioritise their careers. On the contrary, the research suggests it’s because they cannot find love.

Professor Geeta Nargund, medical director of Create Fertility, said: “It is something to celebrate that more women are going to university and getting educated but, at the same time, when it comes to starting a family it seems there is now a societal problem.

“[Straight] women tell us frequently that they are freezing their eggs because the men they meet feel threatened by their success and so are unwilling to commit to starting a family together,’ she added. ‘I think this is an issue that has been misinterpreted so much – this idea of a selfish career woman, putting her fertility on hold.”

The study also points out that the gap between highly educated men and women is expected to widen, as according to UCAS 36.8 percent of women compared to 27.2 percent of men entered into higher education last year.

It’s data that may well apply in New Zealand too.

Figures from our last national census revealed more women than men had a postgraduate degree, and that overall the percentage of women with qualifications was higher.

Although the findings point to certain challenges, Professor Inhorn suggests considering a compromise.

“Maybe women need to be prepared to be more open to the idea of a relationship with someone not as educated. But also may be we need to be doing something about our boys and young men to get them off to a better start.”

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