- Men are considered the natural providers in the family but roles have been changing in recent times
- Women are now actively picking up the breadwinner role in the family even as men struggle to embrace this new reality
- Nigerians share their opinions on whether a woman should be the breadwinner in a family.
In the natural order of things, men are the providers and protectors of their families.
They are considered to be the breadwinners in their respective families.
However, situations and circumstances can cause a paradigm shift in the natural order of things, causing women to take up more financial responsibilities in the house.
This topic sparked a debate on social media after popular Nollywood actress Yvonne Jegede opened up about why her marriage ended on a podcast.
She said she assumed more financial responsibilities in the marriage than her husband and said she should have married for love.
Many Nigerians condemned the actress saying she should not have married the man if she knew he was broke. Others aired their disdain for women who couldn’t assume responsibility in the house without disrespecting their husbands.
TheRadar then sought to speak with some Nigerians on what they think about women being the breadwinners in the family.
Stephen Omoyola, a lawyer, in his opinion, said it is dangerous for a woman to be the breadwinner of the family.
According to him, “A lady should not be the breadwinner of her family.
It is very dangerous, such women would mount too much pressure on their man and end up destroying their marriage. If she must be a breadwinner, then she should look for a man who is not the breadwinner of his own family, if not, the marriage may break down.”
Maryam, a teacher, said “A woman should not be the breadwinner of her family. A good wife can never pray to be the breadwinner of the family, no matter how little, she will be misbehaving toward her husband.”
For Kirma Oladimeji, it is not a big deal for a woman to be the breadwinner of her family.
Also speaking with TheRadar, Joy said women can be breadwinners as long as they have the support of their family.
She said: If I have the required support, no entitlement dramas and all, then yes. As a lady, there are chores that automatically seem yours: cooking, tending to the kids, having the house in order, and all that. While that is not a problem, as the sole breadwinner of the family, I can't be fully found there. The rest of the family can assist with those things. And support is not necessarily physical, emotional, psychological and what not. Appreciating my efforts is also a form of support.”
Some Nigerians took to social media to react on the matter. @Rex_frica posted: Whatever you do, no allow woman feed you, my brother.
@Mayowa_gbemila posted: Man providing, no problem. But as soon as women start providing, the whole world go know.”
Another netizen, @phychem11 posted: “Support your wife always but try to be ahead of her always. Don’t be comfortable with your wife being the main breadwinner in the house permanently because you might lose her.”
@kckingson also posted: “Men, never marry a woman who is richer than you. She can’t submit and she will disrespect you. Women are not wired to provide. Provide 100% in your house if you want to live longer. Listen or perish!”
@kinqKudos posted: “Even if life dey deal with you, no allow woman feed you.”