Manimony: Payback Is A Bitch

Men have always complained about paying their ex-wives alimony. They have to work longer hours to shell out spousal support for a relationship that’s long over.

Well, the tables have been turned and successful women with big bank accounts are bitter, explains an msn article.

It’s easy enough to say that men have been doing it for as long as we can remember, so why shouldn’t women have to do it too if their ex-husbands weren’t working for a period of time while they advanced their careers?

There’s a method to this manimony madness.

Typically, it has been women who have needed the support because they’ve stayed home to take care of domestic duties. It’s more common now for men to be “househusbands,” but this is their choice. Women choose to be housewives as well, but in the past discrimination and sexism in the workplace hasn’t provided the same career opportunities. For men, choosing to stay home is not due to lack of opportunity elsewhere.

As much as men profess to have picked up in the domestic chores department, it’s still women who are taking the lion’s share of the duties. Samantha London, who went from a secretary to a successful salesperson, is just one example of a woman who worked hard only to come home to face housekeeping duties.

Yes, her husband lost his job. This happens. He failed to look for another one though and his wife’s responsibilities piled up with the laundry. Instead of being rewarded, she was punished with monthly manimony payments that locked her into a grueling career.

Although for the most part it seems like “a rueful milestone in our inexorable march to equality,” it does depend on the situation. Unfortunately, in Canada, the law doesn’t see in shades of grey. The spouse who makes the most money gives the most money at the point of separation. In no-fault divorce states like New York and California, “the reason for the breakup can’t be used in determining alimony.”

This is a hard pill to swallow if your marriage falls apart due to infidelity or equally depressing circumstances. Payback isn’t a bitch, but payment is.

One positive woman sees it as indicative of success, which gives her a feeling of empowerment that she can support herself, her children and her ex-hubby.

While it does reflect the great strides women have made in education and professional development, there’s no shortage of cases where women should be able to keep their hard-earned dollars.

Contact the author here: tinybart@morningquickie.com