According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007, 25.9 percent of wives were earning significantly more than their spouses in homes where both spouses work. Twenty years ago, it was only 17.8 percent .
And employment data from Jan. 2008-Jan.2009 shows that layoffs have hit male-dominated fields harder which has caused more men to be unemployed- in September, the unemployment rate for adult men was 10.3 percent compared with 7.8 percent for women.
Regardless of challenges, both men and women seem to gotten used to the idea. In a survey performed for “The Shriver Report: A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything” project, 65.3 percent of women and 61.2 percent of men strongly agreed with the idea that they are comfortable with women making more than men in a household.
“The fact that women are working and women are breadwinners is something that both men and women are accepting,” said Boushey, who was involved in the A Woman’s Nation project. “They’re just struggling with how to deal with it.”
Here’s what some of my Facebook friends had to say (the questions were, in essence, fellas, do you care if your spouse/significant other earns more & ladies, do you require your spouse to make more or does it matter)?
Cordaro- “It really doesn’t matter because if you two have a good relationship then money isn’t the issue. Whatever I have it belongs to her as well and same for her…”
Brittany- ”I don’t think it’s that big of a deal as long as the guy isn’t being a complete freeloader and is bringing something to the table. I think our society is past the whole the man is the breadwinner mentality. The quality of the relationship is what is most important, not how much money is made. People should just live within their means and not beyond them.”
Angela- ”It isn’t the amount you make, but what you do with it! In my case it is All going in ONE account. Looks real good together…”
Cheris- ”I do not require it. However, I won’t lie, it’s always nice. But definitely not a prerequisite. And is not a big deal if I make more as long as he’s responsible w/his money.”
Jessica- “It doesn’t matter to me as long as he doesn’t let it affect how he feels as a man. If he’s going to resent me for earning more money, then he needs to get another job. I’m not taking a pay-cut or leave my job so that he can feel like “a man”. I think it’s also important that if you are a woman who makes more than your man to NOT throw it in his face. Men don’t have to be the sole bread winners if they feel useful and appreciated.”
Shawn- ”I personally dont think its a problem, but i wouldn’t live off what she makes.”
Emmanuel – “It shouldn’t be a problem…of course any of us brothas would like to be the breadwinner in the family (blame it on our male ego/pride), but realistically, that’s not always the case. When you’re in a marriage it’s about cooperation…no matter who makes the most, as long as y’all are both doing your best to bring in $$ and apply it accordingly to the household, it should be gravy from there. I agree w/ [Jessica] though–don’t throw your “financial superiority” in our faces…a woman scorned is a terrible thing, but a man w/ a bruised ego is a close second, LOL.
Odinaka- Am I wrong for thinking that if my woman makes more than me it’s a win?
Laaa la la la, wait til I get my budget right!
I really like replacing the words to that Kanye song whenever possible– even if it’s only for a tangent. If we got our budget right and respect and love each other, everything else should fall in place. Nobody likes not having money and there’s a certain dignity that comes with having your own… for anybody. So treating the person that makes less with just as much dignity is of the utmost importance. Easier said than done of course. Cuz, you know, if you make more than me and want me to pay certain bills that I think you are in a better position to afford (or vice versa), an argument is probably around the corner, which is where that well-discussed budget should come in.
Karla- “If I made more money than my spouse, I will sing like Drake : “ I got money to BLOW!”; and yes I will blow it right in a man’s face, especially if he makes less than I do and has the nerve to be insecure about it. Go get your money up, and stop being all emotional about it. A man with a bruised ego is usually a man with a poor work ethic or no bank account. Respect is allowing a person to offer their thoughts and feelings without interruption, but whoever is banking more gets more respect, so if I make less, I need to keep my mouth closed about the majority of the fiancial issues and vice versa. How dare you make less and think you have a right to put your two cents in? How about you put your two sense in at work and get a raise?
Im just jokin,lol, I agree with what everyone said so far….I do agree with litle bit ( well the majority ) of what I stated also, lol.
Thoughts anyone?
——
Jamie
