In 2009, the Great Recession resulted in more women in the workforce who either earned more than their male counterparts or who became the sole breadwinner of their household. This book is thoroughly researched and interestingly written with candid behind-the-scenes interviews. If you enjoyed this book, you might also enjoy the novel Out of Balance by Angela Lam Turpin in which a stay-at-home mom becomes the breadwinner to a now stay-at-home dad. ( )

There has been some discussion regarding the gender gap in the recovery following a recession which left many young people out of work. In the meantime, it has been argued, women have been taking advantage of the slow job market to become more educated, and thus, more prepared to take the jobs which have been coming available — those requiring skills in technology, written and verbal communication, and administration; meanwhile, men who once excelled at the blue-collar, manufacturing jobs, are falling behind as those jobs are made obsolete by technology or outsourced to other countries. This book takes a look at how this has affected women and their interactions with men and other women, influenced their decisions regarding families and children, challenged them to redefine femininity without emasculating men or trying to become men.

One critic of this book mentioned that the author’s idea of the newly transformed gender roles looks a lot like a mere reversal of traditional male/female roles, in which the man now stays at home and takes care of domestic matters, caring for children, and cooking, while the woman has the high-powered, well-paying office job, instead of a more balanced, equal state in which things are evenly shared. I would suggest that the whole premise of the book is that our economy and educational system are promoting inequality, and thus Mundy’s description of these effects does show an accurate representation of what will happen if things are not changed. Other books have made the argument that a majority of schools and curriculum are designed such that girls, who tend to pick up more quickly on verbal and written communication, will excel while boys, who tend to mature later and are attracted by action and movement, often do not focus and learn as quickly, thus promoting inequality in education, which can result in less investment in schooling, lower expectations from college and career. “Why Boys Fail” by Richard Whitmire is a great book that looks into this, and makes some suggestions as to how to remedy it.

One of the sections of the book that was most interesting to me was the chapter that examined the role of men and women in Japan, a country which recently experienced a similar recession, wiping out the job prospects of many young people, and in which the women are highly educated. Men and women there are learning to navigate a new style of relating and marrying, which is particularly vital to their country since the population has shrunk drastically and there is a severe lack of younger people to help support the elderly. Although Americans are not yet in this state, it is important to see how other first-world countries are addressing the problem, and what their solutions may look like. ( )

Generally interesting to read with lots of things to think about including socially constructed gender roles, femininity/masculinity, factors of education and culture. The topics are fun to discuss, but I wouldn't say that this is a fun read. ( )

So what is the big deal? More women worldwide are educated and earning the money. Why is this such a compelling phenomena? The answer: because it is turning notions of parenthood, relationships, sex, and gender roles on their heads. With that turning comes considerable discomfort.

An educated person knows that society evolves. Those wishing to hark back to the good ole days often forget that them good ole days included women who couldn't vote, slavery, severe class warfare that included child labor and women locked in factories that burned down. It included addicting women who complained to heroine and anti-depressants making them believe they'd gone mad. It meant domestic abuse was hushed up giving wives no recourse but to stay put and take the beating. Thank goodness things change.

Mundy gives extensive consideration to the changes occurring in our society. She speculates on the changes currently in process and what these changes mean for the future. Are these changes bad? Probably not. Absolutely not, if people are willing to adapt. As Mundy advises, it's all about coming to new definitions of male and female, re-defining gender roles. For example, it isn't such a bad thing that men want to stay at home with their children while the women earn the money. If the jibing and ridicule on the social and family front (in-laws, etc.) would knock off the crap, a couple might just find a partnership that works outstandingly well.

Of course, not everyone will embrace change, and this is where the pitfalls lie. More women, more educated women, in tandem with less men and less educated men, mean that marriage is diminishing. Mundy specifically cites women who have remained single, "coupled" up with girlfriends (domestic or supportive relationships with no sexual activity), or simply choose to marry down. If women hang on to notions of traditional marriage, they will have to sacrifice their careers, and have to settle for the potentiality of a lesser income from a man. Men, on the other hand, are either all too willing to let her bring home the bacon while doing little but playing video games all day, or are so indignant at the changes they go abroad to find a traditionally subservient wife.

My opinion of all this: suck it up, cupcakes! Change is inevitable. Women are out enrolling and out graduating men in college. Get used to the idea that they have equal say in a relationship. I have pretty much done away with the prospect of coupling with a man. I cannot take the bullshit anymore. I no longer care to fight for him to notice me, support me, or applaud me. I will no longer accept a man who is unmotivated, and hell bent on making himself look more dominant by being with a weak woman. I have choices, and I have made mine. I know I sound exactly like the woman these 50s-style men would like to send back to the kitchen. Guess what? I do not answer to them, have to earn their respect, or care with they think. And, that is perfect! There is someone out there who will provide me everything I need emotionally without the competition or hurt ego. Gender isn't a priority. Anyone can fuck anyone else...it's a physical act anyone can carry out (though some are better at it than others). Men had their chance and they blew it. Time to explore other options.

If this all revealing too much, I do not apologize. I am hurt, tired, angry, and disappointed. I want that to come through in this review and I hope I've succeeded. ( )

Almost 40% of US working wives now outearn their husbands. Washington Post reporter Liza Mundy argues that “the Big Flip” in gender roles “is just around the corner” in her new book: The Richer Sex. Soon “women, not men, will become the top earners in households" and that will transform the dynamics of male-female relationships.

Mundy sprinkles interviews with women and men throughout the book to highlight her positions and theories. She sees the emergence of a country and world where both sexes are “freer to make purely romantic choices” based on individual preference rather than constrained by long-held stereotypes about who should be the primary breadwinner. For large parts of the US economy, you don't need physical strength and stamina to put food on the table and a roof over your head.

Mundy speculates that women are better adapting to the knowledge-driven economy of the United States. Middle skill jobs are disappearing. Men lost 75% of the 7 million jobs that disappeared during the Great Recession. Industrial jobs are being outsourced. That means making the educational leap to higher tier jobs. Women receive 57% of bachelor degrees and account for 60% of graduate school enrollment.

Mundy concludes that the bread-winning woman is dramatically changing the face of marriage and quality of marriage. They prefer a marriage of equals, or at least a man with strong career ambition and intellect. That means women would choose being single to being in a bad marriage. With their earning potential, they don't need a husband for financial support.

Mundy relates the story of a high-powered executive in a lackluster marriage, with a husband that was resentful of his wife's career. (He didn't have one.) They fought over getting a dog. He thought the dog would absorb too much of her time and affection. She ended up getting the dog and he got mad. Then she had a brainstorm. Get rid of him and keep the dog. "The dog is very supportive of her achievements."

This growth of female breadwinners is not just a US phenomenon. It's happening in South Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, Chile, Ireland, Belgium, Canada, the Philippines, and Norway. As the world economy is starting to rely more on brainpower than musclepower, women are the winning participants in the economy. There is still great inequality. But it's changing. This book looks ahead to where that may lead as women overtake men as the breadwinner.

I first heard of this book while listening to an interview of Liz Mundy on a podcast of C-SPAN's Book TV. (Yes, I'm that much of a geek.) The interview was great and prompted me to run down to the library and borrow a copy. I suggest you do the same. ( )