Utah Film Director Robin Hauser became interested in a phenomenon known as “the mating gap.” She said women have been delaying motherhood in order to pursue higher education degrees or further their careers.
One thing she discovered, is that the decision is really about finding the right partner.
Hauser said her research team found women who had different reasons for choosing to freeze their eggs, and all of them were for non-medical issues.
“These are all elective egg freezers,” Hauser said. “Some, in fact, created embryos. They had partners with whom they wanted to parent, but they just weren't ready for whether it's, you know, economic reasons or social reasons, or career reasons. But most of the women hadn't found a partner yet," she said. "So, we just did a lot of research, and then it was convincing these women that they could tell their story in an honest and open way. I'm grateful to them, because we really wouldn't have this film without their willingness to share.”
Most surprising, she said, was learning about the mating gap. Her previous films have centered on female empowerment and what she’s seeing is the unintended consequence of this.
“Women are becoming so accomplished that they're having a hard time finding partners that they want to couple up with. In other words, we're used to something in our society called hypergamy, which is where it's fairly common for a woman to marry up,” Hauser says. “It's less common for a woman to marry down, say to somebody who maybe doesn't make as much money, isn't as well educated. So, we're at a really interesting point in our society…there isn't as much choice out there for women who are highly accomplished.”
The film will be preceded by a networking reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Park City Library’s Community Room. The reception is sponsored by SheMoney. COO Madison Limansky said it’s an organization that promotes women's empowerment by championing their path to financial freedom through education, networking and community.
“Please join us,” Limansky said. “We have a really vibrant community. You know, women and men from all different industries come together, and it's really a beautiful opportunity to gather with like-minded folks.”
A post-film panel will be moderated by SheMoney founder Jacki Zehner and will include Hauser and local resident Caroline Gleich who, though married, is one of those who is postponing motherhood.
Tickets are $15 for the film or $30 which includes the reception.
