As women start earning more than men, how does traditional gender role reversal work out at home?
It’s a brave new world — and it has been for awhile. It’s not only the age of the working woman, but the working woman who is more successful than her male counterpart– for the first time in history. While it hasn’t been an easy ride to get there, women’s presence in the traditional workplace has been law and intertwined in culture for generations now. An interesting phenomenon has come out of this: the alpha female.
And she’s on the rise. The leading ladies lead a new social movement in which women are doing it better. It’s not the stereotypical CEO with the smartphone glued to her ear at all times pioneering the trend, but every sort of real working woman in all manner of careers who are bringing in the bigger bucks.
And now, decades after women became free to step into the workplace, new gender roles are evolving at home as well as the office: alpha at work can mean alpha at home, when the woman is the main breadwinner. The working woman isn’t just the single mom. A 2008 study showed that there was no difference between young men and women with or without children when it came to wanting more job responsibility.
More research is showing that, in the US, 22 per cent of women aged 30-44 were making more than their male spouses by the end of the last decade. And the global financial crises seems, say statistics, to be lessening employment for men more than women. Logic dictates, then, that women are becoming more and more likely to hook up with men who are earning less than them.
Busy working women who have less breadwinning fellows at home are on the rise fast — modernizing their home lives just like they’ve modernized their climb to business success. The woman who jets off following her career who can return at the end of the day to her husband, who stayed home taking care of house and home. Certainly, there are men out there who are comfortable with this seemingly reversed standard. The corporate Mad Men-esque dad stereotype gives way to loving househusband. Social conditioning toward male and female gender roles is still pervasive in our culture — it’s everywhere — but it’s definitely looser, allowing the woman to be the breadwinner and be accepted for it. Mostly.
There are a few factors when it comes to couples deciding what family set-up is the best for them. Deciding that the household income will come from only one source can be fearful regardless of the gender of the main worker in the family. It’s about the couple deciding mutually that the most important thing is a happy, functional family — figure that out, and they’ve got it made. But what makes a happy family when the woman helms the income and family time is cut back by work hours?
Earlier this year, a group of women were interviewed and explained that their spouses’ lack of desire to work fulltime is a bonus for them, because it boosts their own careers, but it’s not the same for everyone. There are women who, while they might like the idea of being able to follow their career, are only the main breadwinner for the sheer fact that they earn more. It only makes sense to rely on the spouse that can support the family the most — for now, says one such woman, it’s worth it.
Money matters. However much we may want to say it doesn’t, the person earning the most plays a role in the power balance of a relationship when those earnings are used to support a home. In a way, they’re in charge — of the bills, the food, the mortgage … and the luxuries. One interviewed woman said that while she loves being greeted by her husband when she comes in from work, she can’t help but cringe when she sees him splurging on non-essential items or ordering takeaway more than twice a week. That’s her money! Therein lies the sense of entitlement that can crop up in one-earner-households, paired with the sometimes touchy subject of reverse gender politics.
The subordination of having an alpha female for a wife, while the man– well, mans– the domestic aspects can make him feel like he’s lost some manliness points. “Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths,” said Lois Wyse, author and advertising executive. Breaking out of what society taught us — women committing to being in-charge of their careers and finances, and man embracing a domestic paternal role — places spouses in a dance of power and gender roles. If the woman rules the money while the man rules the home, what does that mean for their relationship?
Too much feeling of entitlement can lead the woman to dominate, which can lead her husband to feel controlled and belittled — the same thing would happen in reverse. “I bite my tongue because I don’t want him to feel castrated, and I don’t want to grow balls. I love the gender roles and still want to sleep with a man’s man, be kissed, cuddled and looked after, which he loves to do,” says one interviewee. So, it seems, it’s best to keep the money-is-power standpoint out of the bedroom.
As alpha females step up, the goal for a happy family life is to remember that everyone is an equal partner in their own right, and everyone is successful — whether at work or at home. It’s finding balance. And alpha females aren’t showing signs of slowing down any time soon!
How often do we think critically about the question: In what ways did 9/11 change our world significantly? Experts vary in their assessments of the question – some believe that 9/11 triggered other key events, while others insist that many challenges in play before 9/11 didn’t end because of the tragedy that day.
Differences aside, one observation is consistent – the events of 911 made deep impacts for individuals, groups, and nations individually and in relationship to one another. Here are a few observations and reactions from around the world.
Because of 9/11:
Wars in the countries of Iraq and Afghanistan
Re-election of U.S. President George W. Bush
Deeper drains on the U.S. economy and negative impacts on domestic spending due to heavy military spending
Increased fear between and among ethnic groups, particularly between the global Muslim community and rest of the world
Decreased constitutional rights due to legislation such as the Patriot Act
Increased understanding of the need to effectively solve challenges posed by extremists
Despite the 9/11 tragedy:
Anti-American sentiments before 9/11 continued after the tragedy
False air security measures with the creation of the U.S. Transport Security Commission
Inevitably, one can find truth in any and all of these arguments. Ultimately, the staggering loss of life and need to rebuild trust among peoples and nations are undeniable.
Some are influenced by specific colors, others are influenced by jewels and accessories, and then there are those that find inspiration in people. Celebrities are one group of people that have had a strong hand with influencing fashion of the average person and even other celebrities.
Awards shows are a prime opportunity for celebrities to strut their stuff on the red carpet in the latest Vera Wang or Oscar de la Renta gown. The men come out to shine as well in their new tuxedo and fresh haircut as well.
The sense of fashion and elegance that you get when you see the stars walk the red carpet gives you something to dream about. It gives you ideas about how to glam up your life at the next special event that you must attend.
The inspiration of Neil Lane bracelets worn by Gwyneth Paltrow, the richness of the cocktail ring worn by Lea Michele, or the simplicity of the art deco earrings worn by Taraji P. Henson can all bring a little bit if bling and luxury into your life.
One of the most romantically dressed women at the 2011 Primetime Emmy’s was Kelly Osborne. She wore a full-length gown that was form fitting down to just above the knees and then flared out in a classic ruffled style.
The dress itself was a deep garnet, or crimson, in color and was paired nicely with a small sparkling clutch and tiered earrings that shined. On this evening Kelly Osborne was very elegant and sexy in a Marilyn Monroe era fashion. Another classically dressed woman was Evan Rachel Wood from “Mildred Pierce”.
She wore a classic black dress by Elie Saab that sparkled like glitter and it was paired with a clutch made by Judith Leiber and jewels designed by Fred Leighton. This is yet another example of a gown designed in the modern era that evokes feelings of an old style in Hollywood. It’s refreshing to see that old time glamour and fashion is alive and well.
Osborne and Wood were just two of the many women who graced the red carpet this year, and they are just two of the women whose style at the awards show was admired by others. It’s safe to say the style worn by these two women will grace the halls of many balls, banquets, dinners, and special events all around the world.
Whether you choose the classic style worn by one of these fashionable women or another style you will be dazzling with the right accessories, a beautiful smile, and a little magic that will stop all on-lookers in their track.
When you are searching for that perfect dress make sure it is the right style for your body type, the right color for your skin tone, and the right length for your legs. You may not be able to get the exact same dress as your favorite celebrity, but you will be able to find something that you and your date will absolutely love. Stay tuned for more dazzling fashion from the 2011 Primetime Emmy’s.
Music and fashion are old friends who share an often organic and symbiotic relationship – there’s often a mutual influence that one has on the other. Theirs is a connection that has evolved over time. What a musical artist wore wasn’t always heavily emphasized just a few decades ago, when rock and roll was simply about the music – and hit icons like Blondie dressed themselves, did their own hair, and applied their own makeup on almost nonexistent budgets.
Today, more emphasis is placed on artist development and marketing; this reflects in the stylings of musical artists and their direct influences on both emerging and leading fashion designers. Following are a few examples of the inspiration that some of today’s designers glean from musicians.
Lead performer of Florence and the Machine, Florence Welch caught the attention of several designers as soon as the band debuted in 2009. Among her admiring designers is Fria Giannini, creative director at Gucci who designed Welch’s costumes for her tour currently underway.
DJ Diplo (Peter Wentz) was handpicked by Alexander Wang to be featured in advertisements for Wang’s T clothing line for men. Wang selected Diplo because of his whimsical and unpredictable fashion sense.
Yoko Ono is a woman who has consistently marched to the beat of her own drum. That independent flare and rejection of anything trendy are what inspire the designers of Proenza Schouler, Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough.
Burberry didn’t have to look any further than George Craig of the rock band, One Night Only, to find someone who personifies the modern British fashion sense. In fact, Craig was featured in Burberry’s ad campaign in 2010.
Winning the 2011 Grammy award for best new artist may have surprised millions, but Esperanza Spalding is winning fans both for her music and for her fashion stylings. Count Francisco Costa of Calvin Klein among them. He admires the unpredictable and soulful nature of this jazz singer and bass player, as well as her passion and genuine self-confidence.
American singer Janelle Monáe knows how to perfect a blend of soul, jazz, funk, rock and even symphonic tunes; but she opts for the classic black and white tux, presenting a simple style that works. That simplicity appeals to fashion giant, Karl Lagerfeld who also appreciates the fine art of classic and simple attire.
Rapper Kanye West reigns supreme when it comes to constantly changing the landscape of rap music. His ever-evolving style is what attracts designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte, who recognize West as an artist both musically and visually.
Pushing the music envelope to new heights, British singer M.I.A. stands out in every way – donning bright and varied colors, textures, and looks that all say innovation. This one-of-a-kind artistry inspires designer Donatella Versace who values the uniqueness and boldness that M.I.A. represents so well.
Real style goes beyond a person’s age, status, labels, and physical appearance. Though often hard to define, it’s timeless and easy to see. And the following men clearly have it.
