"You see a lot of smart guys with dumb women, but you hardly ever see a smart woman with a dumb guy"

Erica Jong's quote, "You see a great deal of clever guys with dumb ladies, however you rarely see a smart lady with a dumb guy", offers a pointed observation on social standards and gender dynamics, reflecting on how intelligence, relationships, and social conditioning intersect differently for men and women. It talks to the cultural expectations and predispositions regarding gender roles and intellect in romantic relationships.

The first part of the quote, "You see a great deal of smart guys with dumb females", suggests a social standard where males are often valued for their intelligence, success, or other attributes, and are for that reason "permitted" to pick partners without the same intellectual expectations. This dynamic may show a broader historical power imbalance, where males have been the dominant figures both financially and socially, permitting them to focus on other qualities, such as physical attractiveness, in a partner, sometimes over intellectual parity.

The second part, "but you hardly ever see a wise female with a dumb guy", suggests a different set of standards for women. Smart females, it appears, are anticipated, or possibly pick, to seek partners who match or surpass their intelligence. This could be since intelligent females deal with social pressure to justify their choice of partner, needing to ensure he is seen as "worthwhile" by society's requirements. Alternatively, it may show a goal among intelligent women to have a partner who can supply an equivalent intellectual collaboration, contribute meaningfully to discussions, and challenge them intellectually.

Jong's observation points to much deeper social issues about how intelligence and ability are viewed and valued differently based on gender. It underscores the restricted narratives available for females concerning their individual and romantic options, recommending that while guys may face less consequences when selecting partners of viewed lower intelligence, ladies are held to more stringent standards. Her statement invites a more comprehensive discussion concerning how societal expectations can constrain individual options and perpetuate gender inequality.