When women are the providers, men's satisfaction is affected

In ages past, family and relationship structures were well-defined and largely unquestioned. Men were typically seen as the providers, the ones who went out to work and ensure their livelihood. of the house, while women were usually in charge of taking care of the home and educating the children. children. However, with the evolution of time, society has been changing, family structures have been changing and traditional roles have been diluted.

These days, it is increasingly common to see shared responsibilities, both in financial terms and in household chores. The contemporary notion of gender equality has reinforced the idea that both sexes should share the obligations and challenges that a home and a relationship bring. Men and women are increasingly sharing responsibilities for work, home care and child rearing.

A particularly interesting phenomenon that has emerged is the increase in cases where women assume the role of main provider. Whether by choice or circumstance, more and more women are leading the financial front of family, while men are more actively involved in household chores and caring for children. children. This significant change is redefining the contours of family dynamics and family relationships. gender, as we continue to explore new forms of coexistence and responsibility shared.

It would be ok, however, it is not what is observed in most men. According to a recent study, unemployed men tend to have difficulty accepting the situation in which the woman is the main financial provider.

Researchers at the University of Bath found a decrease in levels of well-being among men whose partners were the sole breadwinners in the relationship. In contrast, when the man is the only contributor financially, or when both partners are employed, they demonstrate higher levels of well-being.

These results come from the analysis of information collected from more than 42,000 subjects in nine different nations. To measure well-being, the researchers asked participants about their life satisfaction on a scale from zero (absolutely dissatisfied) to ten (extremely satisfied). Most people tended to score between five and eight. When female partners were solely responsible for financial support, men rated their “satisfaction with life” at 5.86, unlike when they themselves were the providers, with an assessment from 7.16.

Research indicates that men's life satisfaction is negatively impacted when they are “unemployed” and women are the breadwinners. However, when the woman is unemployed and the man is the provider, men's well-being improves.

The effect of unemployment is felt by both men and women, but men may be more affected due to isolation, gender expectations and lack of social support. Even considering several factors, men's life satisfaction is reduced when the woman is the sole provider, highlighting the central role that the provider plays in male identity.

This study reinforces the need to challenge the correlation between being a provider and masculinity.

“Ultimately, we need to continue to challenge the ingrained belief that men should be the breadwinners, so that men do not feel like failures when they fail to meet this expectation.”, emphasizes the researcher.