Effects of Higher Paid Women

A recent article titled, Breadwinning Wives and Nervous Husbands, by Richard H. Thaler suggests that men are frightened by the sudden increase in women who are becoming independent. It describes the unsatisfactory marital relations as a result of women becoming the breadwinners. During the time of our ancestors, roles were evidently divided into hunter and gather. Realistically, families were not surviving off the gathered berries and fruits but instead off protein provided by the male. Because of this notion of male superiority, males are at risk of losing their authority as the provider of the family. The book, Pink Brain, Blue Brain, by Lise Eliot puts an emphasis on the fact that early in childhood boys are expected to be “men”. The phrase, “be a man”, implies obvious traits of strength, repression of emotions, aggression, etc. Losing status from the familial hierarchy can have negative effects on a male’s self-esteem. He may also have to acquire the role of the nurturer. The article describes the change of events as catastrophic and warns men about the possibility of being abandoned in case of a faulty relationship, when really women have been victims of such mistreatment since our ancestors. It is unfortunate that all these years’ men have been able to discard their families which seemed unfit, and now they worry about desertion. Unfortunately, the article provides a highly questionable solution indicating that women have household roles (child caring, cleaning, cooking, etc.) and in order to prevent them from becoming the primary provider they need to cut their hours to part-time. Disturbingly from this answer, the female role appears to be one of a slave. Times have changed significantly, and it is now acceptable for males to take on household roles. Many may argue that a mother is better able to detect the needs of her child by physical cues but recent studies from the book show that men’s knowledge of these cues also increase in the presence of a new born. These cues are in fact not innate but are learned. Thus, there should not be a sexist separation of roles.

Leading to a more recent article titled, Parents are not more likely to split up if mothers earn more than fathers, provides evidence for a lower divorce rate (by 80%) when a female earns more. This is perhaps because of empathy, the book, “Pink Brain, Blue Brain”, shows that females are better able to sympathize with others. By going through with a divorce, the woman takes into consideration the pain introduced to her children and husband and therefore does not proceed with a rash decision. The book also focuses on emotional expression in both sexes and introduces the fact that males are better at suppressing emotions than females. Even though emotional intelligence is important in various situations, the author emphasizes how important it is to teach daughters emotional resilience because it contributes to a better coping style. Women have a harder time dealing with negative situations which frequently arise in higher paying jobs and professions. Females are therefore more at risk for depression including self-esteem problems. Because certain women, want the lifestyle of the breadwinner they need to focus on resolving problems concerning emotionality due to health risks. Ultimately, males whom are distraught with the sudden increase in higher paid women should focus on their education because the article “Breadwinning Wives and Nervous Husbands”, clearly states that recently girls are outperforming men in school and young females will continue turning into highly paid women.

Eliot, Lise. Pink Brain, Blue Brain: how small differences grow into troublesome gaps and what we can do about it. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. 2009. Print

 "Parents Are Not More Likely to Split up If Mothers Earn More than Fathers." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.

 Thaler, Richard H. "Breadwinning Wives and Nervous Husbands." The New York Times. The New York Times, 01 June 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2014.