The article explores how women's wages in Europe from 1300 to 1800 affected their independence and decision-making in marriage. The researchers found that in Southern Europe, women earned about half of what men did, while in Northern and Western Europe, the wage gap was smaller at first but grew significantly over time. This suggests that women's ability to earn a living and stay single was influenced by the gender wage gap, impacting their autonomy in choosing when and whom to marry.