Market value theory

This is a continuation of a question I have raised in comments to Ilkka's blog. And let's begin with mentioning that I am not a proponent or opponent of sociobiology, I just haven't read enough on it to form an informed opinion.

And the question is: why, in the sociobiological sense of the word "why", women in most cultures do not actively pursue men? (I know that a lot of women do, but I don't think they are a majority, even though here in Finalnd they are probably a fairly large minority.) I understand the point about men needing women more than women need men. At least all the sociobiological writings that I'd ever run into have mentioned that sociobiologically it makes sense for a man to settle for any relationship he can get, no matter how substandard it is, as opposed to being single, and it makes sense for a woman to hold out for the best man she can get even if it means being single for long time and then sharing the man with others.

In the light of the above, why don't all or almost all women actively pursue men? Pursuing men actively is the easiest way to get a better man than the women who do not pursue men. There is of course a certain amount of diversity in the desires of women, but if one wants, for example, to optimize for looks and intelligence, one generally gets a prettier and smarter man by choosing and approaching some good-looking and smart but shy nerd than by waiting for men to approach and then choosing the prettiest and smartest one from the approaching candidates.