Who really wears the pants in the family?
Apparently, the women do, according to the latest study from the Pew Research Center.
Among the survey findings:
In 43 percent of couples, the woman makes decisions in more spheres of domestic life, from money to leisure activities. In 26 percent, the man takes the lead. Of those surveyed, 31 percent say they share decision-making equally with their partners.
There was a difference of opinion, however, about who really controls the purse strings. In the survey, 45 percent of women said they managed household finances (less than a quarter said their partners did), but 37 percent of men said they manage the money.
Hmmm….Maybe there are a few mad money accounts out there.
The same survey also asked whether people were more comfortable about dealing with a man or woman in positions of authority. When it comes to pilots, surgeons, police officers and lawyers, more respondents who had a prefence chose men; while for school teachers and bankers, they chose women. But, a sizable share of the public did not have a gender preference. You can read the entire report here.
The lone exception: The family doctor. Women said they prefered a female by a two-to-one ratio, while men said they would prefer a male family doctor, by the same margin.
So, who wear the pants in your family? Does the other person know it? Also, are there some professions in which you would prefer to deal with a man rather than a woman, or vice versa?
Aisha covered education and breaking news for nearly ten years before joining the Lifestyle staff where she writes a "Dirty Laundry" parenting column. She is the home and family editor and wastes too much time on Facebook and political blogs. 
I’m a bit confused about your confusion over who controls the purse strings. It is perfectly possible that 45% of women and 37% of men control the money in their own houses–that is still less than 100%. Oh wait, less than 25% of women say their partners control the finances, while 37% of men say that they do? Still not much of a conflict, since the difference between joint management of funds and one person saying they manage the funds isn’t that great.
I don’t necessarily have a preference for the family doctor, but I greatly prefer a female gynecologist!
This is what I’ve known all along. Most married men are mental geldings. They just follow along, right behind the mare, while we single mustangs frolic through the wide open fields… They can only watch from their windows, cooped up in their secluded barns. It’s no wonder all these years I’ve referred to weddings not as weddings, but as a “funeral for a bachelor.” Someone did once say or write, “Marriage is the death of all hope.” Yep.
If my spouse controlled the purse strings, we would be hopelessly in debt and there would be no cushion for emergencies, no savings for our ‘golden years.’ He–like many men I know–spends money impulsively and on foolish things (i.e.-a Mustang held together by Bondo and a hearse for the drag strip, an inboard/outboard boat that saw water maybe 3 times in 10 years, and lavish unwanted gifts of jewelry). During his reign as money manager, yes, he made sure the bills were paid and we had food. But, he spent every spare cent on whatever he wanted. And if he didn’t have the cash, he bought on credit (a motorcycle!). He is a wonderful man, but handling the family budget is not one of his strong points. I took over the finances years ago and today, other than our house payment, we are debt free, have a sizeable nest egg, and live a comfortable life. While I realize that not all men are this irresponsible, I do think many, many are.
78% of statistics are made up right on the spot.
My wife handles most of it because 1) She is better at it than I am 2) I don’t want to 3) She is more level headed about things.
Anything that is maintenace related, I do. I think it’s a good trade! My wife ROCKS - Love you Baby!!!
No body wears pants if I don’t buy them, wash them, press them and replace them when they get holey.