Money makes the world go round, but it might not make you happy. In fact women who make more money than their partner report that they are less satisfied with their lives and their marriage. Crina and Kirsten ask, “How can this be true? And how can we start to change the narrative about female breadwinners?”
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Who doesn’t like making a good salary? But what happens when you make more money than your partner? A listener encouraged us to consider this topic and her suggestion is our next episode, On Crina and Kirsten Get to Work, our lively ladies discuss the different aspects of making more money than your partner.
Let’s not deny it, it is great to make money – there are very few downsides to doing so. However, it may present complications when you make more money than your partner, particularly when your partner is a male.
In 1960, women were the primary breadwinner in 6% of American households, that number is up to 25% today – so we know this topic affects a lot of women – and while that is good news, it is also, as we said, complicated.
What is interesting about the demographics on this issue is that younger women are less likely to make more than their male partners. Women in the 50s and 60s are actually more likely to make more than their dudes. Race and ethnicity also affect these numbers. So, we know that the same factors that affect women’s compensation in general also affect whether women make more money than their beloveds.
The data shows that most men still think it is better when women do not work outside the home and when a woman makes 40% of the household income, male partners start to get nervous. When women make more, both men and women report lower marital happiness than couples where the men make more.
Crina and Kirsten have lots of experience with this. Crina has made more money, made less money, worked more and worked less than her spouse. Kirsten has been the earner, a single mom and has also made less than her spouse. So with all the bases covered, these gals get to the reality of wrestling with these issues.
And find all the interesting information below:
7 Women Who Make More Money Than Their Men Sound Off.
When Wives Earn More Than Husbands, Neither Partner Likes to Admit It
Men’s stress jumps if their wives earn more than 40% of household income
The Happiness Penalty for Breadwinning Moms