When A Woman Earns More Than Her Man - The Challenges Arising With Marriage

This question affects every marriage in every geographical region of the world. An essential topic on relationship, one of the most controversial and heavily debated issues in marriage.

A man, as classified by society is the bread winner. It is his responsibility to ensure that everyone under his roof is never in need. A woman's role as society ones again describes and accepted by people is to be a care taker, she ensures everything and all processes within her house hold is maintained to family standard.

The world have become globalized. Women don't see the need to hide behind kitchen curtains anymore or get burnt by pot handles. They have walked out of their houses and challenged men in financial prowess . In the process of learning the art of survival, some women have sprung up higher than their male counterparts. Though they face similar challenges in their careers, we would just be restricted to discuss how this change of responsibility in their marriage  has been of effect.

The world has been forced by changing tides of the economy,  technology, evolving intelligences, gender struggle and other global necessities to give women a chance to shoulder with men in every aspect of life. Although majority of men still surpass women in financial earnings some women make reasonably  well enough to shake men's ego or  scare men away.

But Why Is That? 

The social and cultural understanding about a man and woman in a marriage is to provide and to care. Men provide, women care. Man has been performing this responsibility since his known existence. When the tides turn around , it upsets societies definition of the role of man and woman. The man who earns less, now sees himself as a lesser being among his peers  and his partner who earns more has taken over his responsibility as "head of the house" and the vital role of breadwinning  . If a man is the head of the house because he provides, then what do you call a woman who provides more than her husband or who's husband contributes nothing at all?

Who Then Is The Head Of The House?

This is where the real issue begins to take shape in the marriage. Financial matters begin to take its toll on the marriage. The ego of a man would definitely be lowered no matter how he tries to naturally adjust. Someone sure has to earn more , but when it's the woman, complexities usually do occur.

A critical case study on this in the United States, showed that: 

Women in partnerships who earn more than their men - has soared to 19 per cent, with another 25 per cent earning the same amount as their men folk.

This is quiet staggering and it shows the shift in social responsibilities, affecting man's sole responsibility as breadwinner, therefore forcing society to change the rules, evolve and adapt to this fast paced changes affecting gender equality.


What Challenges Are Usual In Such Marriages? 

The challenges that do occur in such marriages, are capable of causing separation between partners due to its sensitive nature.

• Men are threatened by their wives financial dominance , especially if the figures are quiet close to theirs or more than their earnings. This means that the usual power structure in the family  has been broken , though some wives may not see it that way,  this could still strain their relationship.

• Such men try to avoid discussions on how money should be managed,  who should bring the greater bulk of the money , and this often leads to arguments and misunderstanding especially when the male partner feels his ego has been shred in any way, especially when financial decisions are made without him.

• Some ladies although not all, unconsciously or consciously avoid their basic  house hold duties in their quest for being bread winners. They now demand that her feminine duties must be shared , totally ignoring his masculine pride.

• Usually, people who are really affected by this development are people who get married for the sake of it. They never married for love and compatibility but rather for the sake of adhering to social demand to be married by as scheduled as society installed.

What's The Key To Solving Such Marriage Financial Issues? 

The key to solving this problem and avoid potential break down in marriage lies with the woman. It is usually the actions of the wife that determines how long the marriage is bound to last in this case.

Your husband may not act or voice it out but he feels like he is inadequate. It is your duty to make him understand that this absolutely changes nothing. Always act feminine. Most women see this as a opportunity to wear men's shoes and be bossy.

Never hurt your man's pride. This is always going to be a very sensitive issue between the both of you. Even if his money might not be needed to solve a particular need always seek his opinion and consent as a woman. It takes nothing from you.  Never deflate your man's pride like most women would.

Always remain that woman who goes to bed with him at night and not your financial status. Encourage him when you feel the need to, especially when he show's signs that his contributions might be insignificant. But never reject his contributions or his gifts with the excuse that you can readily afford it.

Never nag or mock his contributions to the family's up keep  for any reason at all. You would strain your marriage  when you earn more than him and still nag at him. This is the fastest route to marital problems and at worse  to divorce.

Never forget you have feminine responsibilities. Even if this could be understandably hectic for you, discuss this issue with him with respect and make him understand why you can't handle all the house hold duties alone.