The author financially takes care of her husband, my neighbor was cared for by his wife financially. My dad is being financially supported by his second wife. I've financially supported 3 men in my life, although temporarily or not fully supported. I offered to support my ex-husband so he could continue his education; those weren't empty words. One of my best friends financially supports her husband. Lot of the men who were TAs working on their doctorate when I was in college were being financially supported by their wives.
It's not that uncommon in my experience. It is, however, one of those things that women are looking for reciprocity for. They're looking for a man who will take the back seat once in a while and support them with a chance to advance and thrive, rather than always having to be the sidekick or helpmeet to male glory. We want our lives to have enrichment too instead of what becomes the drudgery of always elevating and putting someone else first and never getting a turn to shine, test ourselves, grow, see what we can do. And it is amazing how many men go out of their way to tear a woman down for doing well or excelling. Like it's so hard to cheer someone's accomplishments and root for them like they do for you. Like somehow to the male mind, that takes from something, your manhood, away from you.
To sum up, in my experience, it is not women driving this as an issue. I keep hearing about these supposed women who will ditch a man who can't support themselves, but I've never met one. Do t you find that odd? I do? Every woman I've ever known has stated that they'd support their husband if need be. Still, I also do know women who dumped men who fell in hard times or something, after a while.
I think it's like the shortness issue. Men have convinced themselves that they have to be 6 feet tall in order to stand a chance with a woman because, in general there is a slight preference for men who are taller than them (the women). But women say repeatedly that it's not a deal breaker, men miss that crucial THAN THEM factor, and generalizations are not absolutes. Some women like shorter men or it does not factor at all for them.
But also, hands down, women will tell you that even though it mskes no difference to them, datinf shorter men is a total crapshoot. It often doesn't go well. Why? Because it matters profoundly to the man and he either treats her like shit because of it, or it's always something he needs pacification for. Both of which get real old, real quick.
