Simms

Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

The shoes on my feet - I bought 'em
The clothes I'm wearing - I bought 'em
The rock I'm rockin' - I bought it
'cause I depend on me

If I wanted
The watch I'm wearin'- I bought it
The house I live in - I bought it
The car I'm driving - I bought it
I depend on me
(I depend on me)

- Independent Women (Destiny's Child)

Some men find it difficult to accept when their women are earning more money than they do and this sometimes puts a strain on the relationship.

Eighty-two per cent of women matriculated to the University of the West Indies last year. This could very well mean that more women will eventually become less dependent on men.

Forty-four-year-old Marcia Joneshas been married for five years but is having challenges in her relationship because her husband cannot handle her success.

Before marriage, Jones was employed to a company and earned a salary which was just enough to get by each month. Now she operates a restaurant and is doing quite well for herself. She has bought herself two houses and is able to afford to buy most of the things she needs.

Not supportive

Jones, says her husband, who earns less, does not support most decisions she makes because he cannot handle the money divide.

She relates that she recently bought a brand new car and he initially refused to drive in it, claiming that she bought the car so she could show off.

Gender expert Dr Glenda Simms says some men are uncomfortable with their partners earning more money than they do because they have been socialised by the Church that they should be the breadwinner of the family.

Difficult to erase

She says when ideas like these are sanctioned by religion, they are difficult to get rid of.

Simms says when a woman climbs the social ladder, it often puts a strain on her relationship, as her partner feels that he is no longer in control and either becomes violent or angry.

"They resent the fact that the woman is able to take care of herself," Simms says.

The gender specialist says theologians need to revisit the theory that men are the head of households as God also wants women to assume significant positions in society.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com<.i>