Not convinced that being the primary earner in your household is something to celebrate? Well here’s 20 reasons to see it differently.
1. Singledom – About 42% of marriages in the UK end in divorce, and an increasing number of women are choosing the single life. According to the Telegraph, almost 2.5 million men and women aged between 45 and 64 live alone in their own homes. According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of such sole occupants has risen by 833,000 in the past two decades and there are expected to be a further two million at least by 2020, you’ll want to be financially independent at that time in your life.
2. Role modelling – Whether you like it or not, you will be a role model for the next generation. You want to show them that life is joyful and achievable and that they can be self-sufficient and not need to rely on anyone else for the finances
3. Financial acumen – It’s often only when women are the breadwinner that they get to grips with cash, investments and their net-worth and critical life skills. Reports have shown that women with financial acumen are more likely to get into the boardroom
4. Confidence – You may equate money to success and confidence comes from past success.
5. Never having to ask – How demoralising is it to ask someone else if you want to purchase something? Breadwinners don’t have to, although it’s good to have consensus on large purchases!
6. Closing the gender pay gap – Breadwinners knows that they need to earn what they deserve, as it’s critical to their family; they won’t settle for the gender pay gap.
7. Changing working life – The more women breadwinners out there, the greater the voice, the more we can influence flexible working and childcare provision.
8. Partnership – Not all men are cut out to be the breadwinner and would love to be stay at home Dads, or follow less lucrative passions. If their spouse is the breadwinner, that can be accommodated.
9. New generation – Because we’ve evolved beyond the traditional role of man: hunter-gatherer and woman: tied to the kitchen sink!
10. Voice – Because when you earn, you have a voice and when you have a voice you have influence and with that influence you can change the world for the better.
11. Choice – Because when you choose to be breadwinner, you don’t resent it, instead you make it work.
12. Pride – Because being a breadwinner is a fantastic achievement and something to be proud of.
13. Well-rounded – Because a fulfilling role outside the home makes you better in it.
14. Business case – Because women at the top make good decisions and increase business profitability and numerous reports have supported this.
15. Driven – Ambitious women need an outlet and need to be recognised.
16. Love – When you are the breadwinner you are with your partner for love not beholden to them for money and valuing all the qualities they bring to the table.
17. Focus on career – Being the breadwinner focuses you on making the most of your career; it’s something that you can’t escape from. You need to make it as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible, because you’ll be doing it for many years.
18. Feminine & masculine – When female breadwinners are getting it right, they are adept at combining the traditionally masculine skills with the feminine in concert.
19. Doing good – If you are financially successful breadwinner, you can do plenty of good with your money, helping your community and pursuing philanthropic activity.
20. Sharing your success – Once you are a breadwinner you can share the pitfalls and successes with others by mentoring, coaching and supporting, so their way can be easier.
I am Jenny Garrett, Executive Coach, founder of Reflexion Associates, a leadership and coaching consultancy and author or Rocking Your Role – I help professional working women move from struggling and juggling to rocking their many roles in life. Find out more about me, my programmes, speaking engagements and training at rockingyourrole.com