Plain and simple, the sexual demographics are fucked up. There are more women in Western societies than men, and as a result, their votes turn the West into daycare rules.
Unfortunately, it's old and useless women who are voting. When it comes to prime sexual market women, they are outnumbered by men by a larger than we think margin. On top of that, there's the fact that being a girl who simply isn't fat, isn't a single mom, or some other assorted piece of garbage has, as you said, skyrocketed her value.
It basically boils down to how women don't have to try anymore, and in order to get a girl, you have to put more effort in than ever before. More game, more gym, maybe even cosmetic surgery.
I despise what MGTOW has become, but they have one good point. There has never been a time to drop out and go your own way.
Modern women just aren't worth it, anymore.
Also, seeing how modern democracy has devolved into old hags voting for the nanny state, I can definitely see the wisdom in how the vikings had their wives die in the funeral pyre with their husbands. That needs to be brought back.