For a long time it was an understood rule that men were to be the breadwinners in their marriages.
While men were expected to "marry down" in terms of finances, women were inversely expected to "marry up," by finding the man most likely and able to out-earn, and take care of them. This has been the status-quo in our society for quite some time, though it seems that the tide is turning.
According to ABC News, a new trend is emerging, whereby women are marrying down, and choosing husbands that are not their superior or even their equal in terms of financial earnings, education and career potential. A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that 1 out of 5 American women out-earn their husband and almost 1 in 3 is better educated.
The study uses mega-couple Jay-Z and Beyonce as its example. Jay-Z made an impressive 35 million last year, but still, Beyonce nearly tripled that figure, pulling in an estimated 87 million.
The study goes on to say that marriage as a whole is an institution on the decline, particularly among African-Americans. While 62% of them between the ages of 30 and 44 were married in 1970, only 33% had tied the knot in 2007. In this case, the link between success and marriage is much more pronounced. One opinion in the ABC segment suggested that since Black women are attaining college degrees, climbing the corporate ladder and owning businesses more than ever before, the "number of comparable mates is slim."
Its official, the home really is no longer the man's castle; increasingly, its hers too.
What's your opinion on this study?
To watch the ABC News segment go here.
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