Survey: Men With Wives Who Make As Much Or More Than They Do Are Happier In The Bedroom
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Here's yet another reason to advocate for equal pay: A new study claims men whose wives make as much or more than they do have hotter sex lives.
According to a Money.com survey of more than 1,000 adults 25 and older, couples that earned about equal pay were more likely to rate their sex life as steamy. Fifty-one percent of those spouses said their "romantic encounters" were "very good" or "hot" versus 43% of spouses overall.
What's more, men whose wives were the breadwinner or made as much as they did were the most satisfied overall. Fifty-six percent of them characterized their activities between the sheets as "hot" or "very good" in comparison to 43 percent of those whose wives made less.
So, why are these men so satisfied?
Those involved in the study say it may have to do with several factors. For one, the pressure put on men to provide for their family, particularly in the poor economy.
"We have found that it is burdensome for many men to have full responsibility for the family's income," Ellen Galinsky, president of the Families and Work Institute, tells Money.
But society is changing, researchers also say, and that could also be part of the shift in attitudes towards women in the workforce.
"Men are now being raised on the assumption that the woman is going to have a career, so there's no shame that she 'has' to work," University of Maryland sociology professor Philip Cohen says.
Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Money is still the top thing couples argue about, the survey reveals. And women who make substantially less are also less likely to see themselves as involved in financial decisions, versus 28% of men in that position.
Regardless of who makes more, Money recommends doing two things to achieve greater financial harmony: Manage based on interest, but decide together. In other words, let the person who is more interested in managing the finances take charge, but make any big decisions together and on equal footing.
Secondly, "master the basics." Both partners need to know what's going on with the family's finances. Spouses should sit down at least twice a year and discuss their situation and financial goals.
And ladies, don't be afraid to take charge of your finances.
"I see my older female clients having wealth management thrust on them, and it's un¬charted territory," says Atlanta financial planner Mary Claire Allvine in the Money article.
For more information on the survey, click here.
