Could we not also blame men for competing for the attention of the most attractive women, who then in turn can demand more resources?
I do think we attack men for being shallow more often than we attack women for being materialistic. The latter doesn’t get as much attention or critique, eg wanting a bigger house or label fashion is often seen as aspirational and positive; wanting a more attractive partner is not seen in the same light.
Why do men who have a partner already feel obliged to continue capturing more and more resources?
Are these just instincts that exist independently? Would removing one remove the other? Are they even so strong as to bind us by them?
In reality I think these instincts don’t rule us. Choosing a partner is a combination of physical and mental attraction, as well as a function of social status. We can choose. Timshel.