Folks, like it or not, I'm going to do a little more ranting today about this evolutionary psych stuff.
In the article I commented about yesterday — in which evolutionary psychologist Nick Neave argues that women are biologically programmed to be dependent on men — he goes on to make two more points:
1. Women are happiest in traditional marriages.
In making this argument, Neave points to a recent study from sociologists at the University of Virginia, which found that couples who are happiest in traditional marriages run on old-fashioned gender lines, where the man is the main breadwinner: "The report showed conclusively that women who worked were more dissatisfied with their husbands than those who stayed at home," he says. He also points out that one of the study authors, Radford Wilcox, said: "Regardless of what married women say they believe about gender, they tend to have happier marriages when their husband is a good provider."
2. Women like men who make more than they do.
Neave goes on to say: "Happiest of all were women whose husbands brought in at least two-thirds of the household income, regardless of how much they helped with domestic chores. In short, I suspect women will never feel truly comfortable earning more than their men. The need to rely on a man is driven by such a deep-seated biological urge. I cannot see it ever being eradicated completely."
Oh, please. I think this whole phenomenon could easily be explained thusly: Women whose husbands are bringing in that much of the income are probably less stressed, and therefore happier.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
As for why men might not like women who make more than they do, well, I think that's easily explained by centuries of socialization. Men are slowly coming around to the idea that women can be providers, too, but it's a relatively new idea in our culture.
Are you with me?
-
Princess Diana Revealed to a Royal Author the Real Reason Why Her Marriage to Prince Charles Ended Not Long Before She Died in 1997
And no, it apparently wasn’t Camilla Parker-Bowles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Martha Louise of Norway Sets Wedding Date with Fiancé Shaman Durek Verrett After a Two Year Engagement
Already billed as “one of the most beautiful high society weddings of the year,” the celebration will last for four days.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Heidi Gardner Opens Up About Viral Moment She Broke Character During ‘Saturday Night Live’ Beavis and Butt-Head Sketch
“I just couldn’t prepare for what I saw.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
How the Normalization of Anal Sex Has Shifted the Conversation About Consent
And why it's more important to be having these discussions than ever.
By Gigi Engle Published
-
8 First Date Tips for Every Feminist
First date tips for feminists
By Alanna Greco Published
-
Is It Wrong to Date Someone Who Likes You More Than You Like Him?
Is it possible to like each other equally from the get-go, or is it kind of necessary for the vast majority of the population to do this?
By Maura Kelly Published
-
4 Female Misconceptions About Sex and Dating
The male author of a memoir about his love life has some advice for the ladies.
By Maura Kelly Published
-
Why We Stand By Our Bad Boys ... Even in Shakespeare
How the Bard's "problem plays" portray women willing to take back womanizers and jerks.
By Maura Kelly Published
-
How Gay Marriage Is Good for Straight Women
Will it help ensure that more of us can find "a marriage of equals?"
By Maura Kelly Published
-
Let Us Now Objectify Presidential Men
Who is the hottest wanna-be leader of the free world?
By Maura Kelly Published
-
Pushing Back Against Literal Weiner Pics
Should we pipe up the next time someone on a dating site sends us an unwanted picture?
By Maura Kelly Published