The Law of Diminishing Marginal Utility (lasting relationships)


I am a die hard fan/lover of Economics. Infact I used to enjoy the various laws, concepts and principles often taught in secondary school. I must also confess that I sometimes envied my counterparts in the Economics dept during university days. Also, I have sometimes wondered how I ended studying Accounting rather than Economics. Been an Accountant has been a life dream from when I was a child. I was particularly inspired by a banker uncle; Alafialoju Adegoke. My Economics passion was inspired by my both home and abroad trained Industrial Chemist dad, who just like one of his siblings was a great lover of Economics. So we may say that I am an Economic Açcountant.

Going by my inquisitive, creative thinking and creative writing nature, the topic, Diminishing Marginal Utility popped up at me recently. I was at the popular canteen by the RCCG camp main gate. I was just about finding my way to the auditorium when I realised the huge hunger pangs within me. In a bid to suppress the anger from an hungry man, I found my way into this my top choice canteen. I ordered and then sat to have my meal quickly. Then came this elderly man with a plate of 4wraps of black amala with plenty of flesh. He immediately got set for the task ahead, then a woman who happened to be his wife came along with her plate of rice. Minding/not minding my business, I observed that he asked his wife to please open his bottled water as he couldn't because his hands were soiled with oil, then she reluctantly gave him Hers which she had opened and drank from.

Within a flash, my brains reminded to at least 20 years back when they newly met. I imagined how beautiful and heavenly going out would have been. Most likely, he would have pulled out the chair for her to seat majestically, then hush off to the vendors desk to order, bring a beautiful meal to her like a pro-waiter, and then kept on asking to know if she was fine. Honestly, I didn't see a bit of this in this couple, and I asked myself, what could have gone wrong. Were they done with themselves, or have they outgrown those 'lovely fantasies'.

In simple English, Diminishing Marginal Utility states that as more and more of a commodity is being consumed, the consumer gets to a point that he can't have as much as he had because his satisfaction derived is reducing. Yoruba would say, 'o ti yo ife', that is, he is consumed by love.

I am still asking myself, why does the love, cares and affections earlier shared and professed diminish in some older couples?

Wow love ur write ups


M an economist tho!!!!!!!

Nice one. But you should have at least told us what you think is the way out.

When they first met,the man had to do everything to make his would be wife comfortable around him for fear that he might lose her or maybe she might disapprove of him, but now they are married and spent years together,I believe they are now comfortable wth themselves and they are now living in love and hence no more fear,cos perfect love casteth out fear according to the bible!

Thanks guys for your comments. I think my thoughts are centered on ensuring that we don't stop being courteous with our spouses. The simple 'thank you, am sorry, I love you' shouldn't end immediately after she/he has said 'I do'.

SolomonAdeola:
Thanks guys for your comments. I think my thoughts are centered on ensuring that we don't stop being courteous with our spouses. The simple 'thank you, am sorry, I love you' shouldn't end immediately after she/he has said 'I do'.

Ideally, I think love curve should take exception to the law.

And yeah. You are right, all these little acts of courtesy matter a lot! They are kinda lubricant in a lasting relationship.

Nice one!

I think we need something like Relationship Economics

Actually I think love have not diminished. Its just simple,life does not revolve only round a woman. We all know that even during courtship there are certain things that are expected of a woman of Which she'll be dumped by her man if she fail to reach her expectations. What you described op is just part of a gentle man's duty and what u saw is just part of a good wife's duty. I dont think any thing has change unless of course u r telling us that the gentlemanliness#pardon my grammer# of men fade away.








I strongly believe that if love still abides there will be scenarios that that man will act the way u were expecting.





Shikena.

Stycon:



Ideally, I think love curve should take exception to the law.

And yeah. You are right, all these little acts of courtesy matter a lot! They are kinda lubricant in a lasting relationship.

Nice one!

I think we need something like Relationship Economics

say no more