Traditional Gender Roles in the 21st Century: Should Men Earn More Than Women in Relationships?
Should a man earn more than a woman for a relationship to work? Should a man be earning a particular amount of money before he considers himself worthy to pursue a woman?
In this day and age where living costs are constantly rising, it's practical to consider finances when looking for a partner. But should people prioritise money over building meaningful connections, especially in the early stages of their careers?
In this blog, we'll explore five reasons money should not be the only factor to consider when dating.
Character is everything.
Understanding Traditional Gender Stereotypes in the Household
According to traditional gender roles, men are strong and responsible for providing for the family. Women, on the other hand, are nurturing, and responsible for maintaining the household and caregiving duties.
However, data from the National Centre for Social Research shows some progress in challenging gender roles.
According to the National Centre for Social Research, support for conventional gender norms and division of labour in the household has declined significantly in the past four decades.
In 2022, only 9% of people believe it's a man's duty to earn money and support the family, and a woman's duty to stay home and take care of the kids. This shows a significant decline from 48% in 1987.
In 2012, 31% of people said that in households with toddlers, it's best for mums to stay home and dads to work full-time. 10 years later, only 18% of people uphold these gender role expectations.
Yet some form of traditional gender stereotyping persists today.
A third of people still believe that the best setup in households with small children is the mother working part-time and the father working full-time.
Psychologist Satadeepa Som said, “Gender roles can have a significant impact on our relationships by creating power imbalances and limiting our ability to express ourselves authentically."
Why You Shouldn't Only Consider the Financial Aspect in Dating
It reduces your chances of finding "the one".
Traditional views on gender roles may affect how men and women prioritise financial stability in relationships.
But when looking for a partner, focusing only on money can hinder finding true love.
As men earn more, their numbers decrease.
Only a small percentage of the population earns six-figure salaries, making it harder for many women to find partners who meet their financial expectations.
Considering other qualities beyond money can lead to better connections and more successful relationships, especially given the challenges of reaching the top income bracket.
By looking at personality traits and shared values more than anything else, men and women can increase their chances of finding long-lasting love and happiness.
Keep reading here to further understand these harmful gender norms and how they can affect your quest for a suitable lifetime partner.
The journey matters more than the destination.
In today's society, many want to be financially secure before starting relationships.
However, prioritising personal and career goals over love may cause missed opportunities to build a meaningful connection with someone.
In our case, we realise finances alone don't define success. What matters most to us is we support each other's growth every step of the way.
We focus on the journey together, valuing shared experiences more than financial milestones.
Keep reading here to learn more about why we put greater importance on the journey than the end goal.
Circumstances change over time.
Initially, at the beginning of their careers, men and women typically earn similar amounts.
Over time, men tend to earn more than women due to factors like parenthood.
This trend often leads to a widening gap in earnings between men and women. What this shows is that the circumstances now will not always be the circumstances in a relationship.
People's earning potential is likely to increase over time, especially men's. So, when dating, it doesn't make much sense to exclude those who aren't earning big bucks yet.
What matters most is a person's vision, ambition, and drive to succeed. The willingness to persevere to turn vision into a reality is what will help sustain growth in a relationship, not money.
Keep reading here to learn more about how the gender pay gap evolves and understand why money shouldn't be the only consideration in dating.
Home life can be challenging with two high-flyers.
We're all for gender equality, and both men and women in relationships can definitely have full-time jobs.
But while it means more money for the family, both partners being high-flyers with very demanding jobs can do more harm than good in the long run.
It often means longer work hours, conflicting and busy schedules, and a lack of quality time with the kids. Tension can quickly arise in the household when both partners are juggling huge responsibilities at work and home.
Dating someone with a less demanding career can help balance priorities and prioritise family life, especially if you already have a demanding job with good pay. At the very least, one partner should be willing to step back if the other wants to pursue a greater role at work.
It's crucial to communicate openly, compromise, and support each other to make the relationship work. Striking a balance between work and personal life is essential for a healthy and fulfiling relationship.
Keep reading here to find out how we as parents with full-time jobs try to make it work.
Character is everything.
Money is undoubtedly important in relationships, but it's just one piece of the puzzle.
While financial stability can contribute to a sense of security, it's not the only key to a successful marriage.
Ultimately, a person's character and values play a far more significant role in forging a strong and lasting connection.
A partner's integrity, kindness, and ability to communicate effectively are qualities that can carry a relationship through both prosperous and difficult times.
These attributes shape the foundation of the trust, respect, and understanding essential for a healthy partnership.
In contrast, relying solely on a partner's material possessions to gauge compatibility overlooks the deeper aspects of what truly sustains a relationship.
Money can come and go, but the strength of a person's character endures, enriching the relationship in ways that extend far beyond one's net worth.
The Bottomline
In today's dating scene, we need to rethink and challenge gender identities and the outdated notion that men must earn more than women.
While financial stability is important, it shouldn't overshadow other aspects of a healthy and fulfiling relationship.
Focusing solely on money can limit opportunities for meaningful connections and overlook the deeper qualities that sustain a lasting partnership.
What are the most important factors you consider in dating? How important is the financial aspect for you? Please share what you think by leaving a comment below!
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