SLC-S24/W4 - Powerful Debate | Deal or No Deal

Do you think it is ideal for financial burden of a home to be managed by the husband alone.(Explain your answer by choosing Deal or No Deal)

I've seen this play out in life so many times, the painful part is that it's still happening till today. One I remember vividly was when my friend lost his job and the family had a tough time. Now, imagine if his wife hadn't been working, exactly, they would have been in a much worse situation. On the other hand, my neighbor, John always insisted on being the sole provider to which his wife was not okay with as she feels trapped and has no say in financial decisions.

Now, what do you think? Is it best for the husband to be the sole breadwinner? Before I give you my side of the argument, I would like us to look at the two sides of this coin.

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The "Deal" Side: Why It Might Seem Appealing

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image source; Pexels

The idea that the husband handles all the finances, on the surface, sounds simple for the following reasons;

Traditional Roles:
In today's world, some of us still believe in traditional roles where the husband is the worker and the wife takes care of the home and kids (i.e., the housewife), making it a clear division of labor. As much as this can work if both partners are happy with the arrangement, what happens in the long run, maybe when the husband is no more?

Clarity and Control:
Well, this could be another reason as some of us might prefer this for clarity, where one person manages the money, making it easier to track income and expenses, just like having one person in charge of the budget, making sure everything is paid on time.

Protection (Maybe):
Yes I said maybe, this is because it still falls under tradition and culture, as in some cultures it is seen as a way to protect the wife, especially if she doesn't want to work or has other commitments, so the husband provide for the family, allowing the wife to focus on other things.

Now, in all the reasons given above, what happens if the husband loses his job? Or gets sick? Does that mean the entire financial house of cards could collapses? Or worse he's no more?

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The "No Deal" Side: Why It's Not Always Ideal

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image source; Pexels

Now, let's look at the "No Deal" side, i.e., why it might not be ideal for the husband to be the sole financial provider.

Financial Pressure:
Imagine the pressure that would be on the husband, as he is the only one bringing in money, so every bill, every expense, rests on his shoulders. Don't you think that's a lot of stress on him, which can affect his health, relationships, and overall well-being?

Limited Choices:
This is for the ladies because as the wife, if you don't work, don't you think you might have limited choices? It's true, as she might depend entirely on her husband, so if he doesn't come to the table, there is nothing on the table, affecting her independence and decision-making power.

Missing Out:
Most times, our ladies are so talented, so in such cases where the wife might have amazing skills and talents that could bring in income, keeping her from working could mean missing out on valuable opportunities. For example, maybe she's a great artist, a talented writer, or has a knack for business.

Unfair Burden:
Put yourself in the shoes, you will see that it is not always fair to put all the financial responsibility on one person. Doing this can lead to resentment, arguments, and a feeling of imbalance in the relationship, just like one person carrying all the groceries while the other one walks empty-handed.

Based on these reasons, my argument is for "No Deal" regarding the idea that the financial burden of a home should be managed by the husband alone. I see it very important to highlight several key points that emphasize fairness, partnership, and the benefits of shared responsibilities.

First and foremost, managing the financial burden of any home, big or small, is a significant responsibility that should not rest solely on one person, regardless of gender. In the world we are today, both partners in a relationship often contribute to the household in various ways, whether through income, chores, or emotional support. Therefore expecting one person, typically the husband, to shoulder all the financial responsibilities can lead to unnecessary stress and strain on the relationship and believe me, financial stress is one of the leading causes of conflict in marriages, so it is only better that the burden is shared and couples work together to alleviate that pressure.

Moreover, when both partners are involved in managing the household finances, it tends to create a stronger bond and encourages open communication about financial goals, budgets, and spending habits, and this can lead to better financial decisions, as both partners bring their perspectives and ideas to the table, allowing for a more balanced approach to spending and saving, as each partner can contribute their strengths and knowledge.

In a world where the cost of living continues to rise on a daily basis whereas purchase power is on the decline due to inflation, it can be challenging for just one person to manage all the expenses such as housing costs, utilities, groceries, and other necessities alone. But then, by sharing these costs, couples can alleviate financial pressure and create a more stable financial situation, which can lead to greater peace of mind and allow both partners to focus on other important aspects of their lives, such as family, career, and personal growth.

Therefore, before you agree to a deal or no deal, it is important to consider the long-term implications of placing the financial burden on one person, i.e., if the husband is solely responsible for the finances, as time goes on he may feel overwhelmed and unable to make sound financial decisions which can lead to poor financial choices, such as overspending or neglecting savings.

One other bonus is that if both partners are involved in the financial wellbeing of the family, they can hold each other accountable and ensure that financial decisions are made with careful consideration, and this my friend can lead to better financial health in the long run.

Furthermore, the idea that the husband should handle all financial responsibilities can reinforce outdated gender roles and stereotypes like I've explained earlier where wives were seen as mere housewives. We are in a modern society were both men and women are capable of managing finances effectively. Therefore by promoting the notion that financial management is solely a man's job can bring about inequality and limit opportunities for women to engage in financial discussions and decisions, so let us share the family financial responsibilities to help us break down these stereotypes and create a more equitable partnership.

In conclusion, the idea of placing the financial burden of a home solely on the husband is not ideal, so for me, the "No Deal" approach promotes fairness, collaboration, and shared responsibility. I hope with these few points of mine, I was able to convince you and not confuse that giving the family's financial burden to just the husband or the wife is a No DEAL!

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I want to take this opportunity to invite @nsijoro, @ngoenyi and @bossj23.

Thank You for your Time

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NOTE: Always have a smile on your face, as you are never fully dressed without one.