According to CNN, recent male graduate are still out earning women by nearly $8,000 one-year after graduation from college. However, this is because men are picking majors that are typically higher paying than women are. While women may earn less than men may on average, it is becoming increasingly more common that the woman is the breadwinner in the family than in years past. Since times have changed, and women are out earning men in some professions, it can bring the question of whether the man feels inferior to the role reversal of typical breadwinner.
How much is the income gap?
When it comes to modern dating, men typically don’t view income as a barrier to finding the perfect match. However, income disparity may come down to actual job function and responsibilities, which may make it tougher to connect. For instance, there is a different between someone that worked a career up to a high level executive and someone that is still at an entry-level position. Essentially, we do not necessarily care about the income gap, but we do care about the level of responsibilities within the job. We look for someone that can be our partner and someone with that we can relate. Many men are looking more for the same ambition level, rather than actual income.
Do we care if the woman makes more than us?
I had this discussion with my girlfriend who is in school to become a nurse practitioner, while I am working for a Fortune 100 company and currently attempting to get an MBA. Regardless of who makes more money, we view income as a team effort that will help both of us in the long run. A relationship isn’t based on trying to make more money than your partner, but rather to use both of your success, no matter how large or small, to achieve the goals that you both are setting. Guy’s don’t feel any less of a man if his significant other is the breadwinner, but we need the type of relationship that isn’t competitive against each other, but rather a team effort.
Do we feel like less of a man if we make less than our partner?
Some men feel power and control when they are the one that is needed in the relationship based on income and what we can bring to the table. When we can’t contribute the same or more than our partner, we feel like we are failing in the relationship. However, this is just a cultural change that needs a different mindset. Younger generations are viewing a relationship as a team effort that doesn’t really matter who is more successful financially. However, when men were considered the primary breadwinners, it can be tough for guy’s to accept we are not always on top financially. The bottom line is that some men may feel inferior, but the changing attitude is helping view income as a team effort, rather than a sole breadwinner scenario.
Sources:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/10/23/pf/college/women-men-pay-gap/index.html