Bread Winner - An Uncomfortable Term?

March 28th, 2006 • Related • Filed Under

When social issues are highlighted in the national papers, everyone talks about it. Over the past year, there have been many articles on the rise of the number of unmarried women in Malaysia. Many reasons were highlighted. However, the main reason was the fact that the number of women in institutes of higher education is higher than men. Hence, women now hold high positions and other than the diminishing pool of available men, they¡¯ll have to decide their stand on dating men who earn less than them.Obviously, from the highlight of the issue in the papers, Malaysian women and men are not very comfortable with this notion. We are still a conservative nation with orthodox views on the roles of men and women. Even if the individual is comfortable with such a situation, it will be a task to battle off comments passed by other members of our “kepoh” society.

When a woman does earn more than a man, does it really turn it into a different relationship? What is it that scares us? Is it the freedom to stop working if we felt like it? Are we just craving security that won’t depend on us working for it? None of the reasons make us goldiggers. It’s a personal choice. Our priorities also may shift over time and having financial comfort will make them an easier transition.

However if we do decide to be career women and have a relationship with a man who earns less than us, we have to acknowledge the fact that material things will have to take a backseat. See it as sorting out a part of your life, the finances and adrenalin from working, and view your relationship as being able to provide other things. There are husbands who handle the children more, treat their wives to a meal after work and there to provide comfort and a listening ear after a stressful day. These are things that a career woman will need.

Women who do earn more must see the other aspects a relationship. It is a bold decision and should be respected and saluted by all. Women who have decided to concentrate on other points deserve equally the same.

Last 5 posts by anne H

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