Is it Wrong to Marry a Man for his Money?

Everyone has their own set of criteria when choosing a partner, so that what you look for will clearly depend on your priorities in life. If you want to have children, you probably want someone who is dependable, who is caring and who will contribute financially to your family’s income. If you want to live the high life; travelling all the time; entertaining frequently and residing in a large house, you may prioritise the earning potential of your spouse more than if you just want to live a normal life and raise a family. However, what if your sole reason for marrying a man is because he’s rich?

Most people would probably regard a woman who marries a man solely for his money with disdain. There is an assumption that this kind of woman relies heavily on her looks to get what she wants; never bothers to work; and preys on vulnerable men. However, these men obviously have some idea of what they’re getting into. Of course, if you’re a rich man, then there is a good chance you’re going to attract women who like money. The likelihood is that you will attend certain social functions where these women lurk and you can find yourself drawn in.

Men are probably happy to play along with the idea that these women find them attractive, regardless of whether they do or not. There are obviously instances where women do fall in love with rich men and don’t want them just for their money, but there are also plenty of cases where women’s only goal is to marry a man for his wealth. In today’s society, there is an expectation that women should work, just as men do, though this wasn’t always the case. In the past, it was regarded as more socially acceptable for a woman to stay at home and look after the children and household in general.

It could therefore be argued that there is nothing wrong with a woman marrying a man for his money, as it provides her with security and may give her the opportunity to fulfil a role she enjoys – that of a loyal and supportive wife. Yet, there are those women who just want to enjoy the status of being married to a rich man and having access to his credit cards and bank account, mingling with other rich people and showing off their wealth. If the man is happy with this, then that is fair enough, but not all men are aware of their spouse’s intentions. This is when it is clear that marrying a man for his money is a bit of an ethical dilemma, though seemingly not for those women who just want to be rich!

Benefits of Being a Man

It's hard to imagine that anyone would actually choose to be a woman when men seem to have a much easier time. On a biological level, men don't have to contend with periods, child birth, or the menopause, whilst on a social level, men don't have to worry about their appearance or getting older to the same extent that women do. Men also tend to be in positions of power, are often promoted over their female colleagues and are frequently paid more for doing the same job. It hardly seems very fair, but it is something women have had to get used to.

Of course, it could be argued that women should challenge the status quo and, on a social level, that may well be possible. However, there are a number of things that are never going to change. Women are always going to be the ones carrying babies and giving birth to them, and it is this particular role which shapes societal expectations. Not every woman wants children, but many women do, and for those who want to become mothers, this will undoubtedly have a degree of influence over their career path and the way they live their lives.

Men do not have to contend with the same issues, since they don't have to think about how having a baby will interfere with their career or prevent them from getting a promotion. Although some men do take paternity leave, many men continue going to work after the birth of their baby and do not have to give up the same things that women do to have a family life, as well as a career. It could be said that some men miss out on being proper fathers because of their role as breadwinner taking precedence over the time they spend with their children.

There are some men who are deciding to take on the role of home maker, so that their wives become the main financial provider of the family. In many families, both parents work, because they feel a certain amount of social pressure to, or because they can't afford not to, or because they need a break from family life. Often there is more burden on women to work, look after the children, house and husband, whilst men get away with doing less within the home. Of course, every couple has their own rules and boundaries, but it does seem that men don't have quite as tough a time as women.

Well, that's how it would appear. Yet, when it comes to the number of divorce applications, women are more likely to ask for divorce than men. Women are no longer prepared to put up with a situation if they're unhappy about it. At least women now have this option, but that has not always been the case. Ultimately, women have had to fight for the rights that were already available to most men and even now there are still societies in which women have very few rights compared to the male population. There is no denying there are fundamental differences between men and women which make life more interesting, but why is that women always get the short end of the stick?!