Hypergamy & Sugar Dating With Dr. Megan Sawey

April 15, 2026 · 57 min

Show notes

#SugarBaby culture is everywhere online. But why is it making such a big comeback now?

As money gets tighter and “SugarTok” gains traction, conversations around sugar dating and hypergamy are becoming more mainstream.

Christiana sits down with Cornell lecturer Dr. Megan Sawey to examine what’s driving the trend and what it means for modern dating.

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01:17 Meet Dr. Megan Sawey

07:20 Understanding hypergamy and dating up

12:29 Sugar dating in relation to sex work

17:55 Sugar dating as an entrepreneurial endeavor

31:50 Sugar dating and the digital intimacy economy

33:50 Sugar dating and politics

37:20 How sugar dating is portrayed as heteronormative in media and marketing

41:45 Sugar daddies and how sugar dating is regulated

45:20 Sexual racism and sugar dating

48:28 Sugar dating for men vs. women

51:07 The future of sugar dating and hypergamy

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