In the long-run, all good relationships are partnerships with equal effort/input on both members. Input/effort comes in many forms -- money is just one. Originally Posted by pjorourkeAgreed PJ. Such a succinct but valuable point.
There are many components that make up a whole relationship.
The ingredients may differ slightly from couple to couple, but generally we are talking about basics such as finances/an ability to take care of one another (meaning non-financially related efforts such as cleaning/cooking/making sure someone gets home safely late at night etc). To me it doesn't matter who does what...just that all the ingredients that make a whole ("whole" as seen by both of us) are there. I don't expect absolute balance of input on both sides because I think that's a bit rigid and perhaps unrealistic (it can be hard to place monetary values on some inputs yet easier on the more tangible) but I would prefer to feel that we felt it was as close to equal as possible. The only way that is posisble really is if someone places as much value on what I bring to the relationship as I do them...even if both are bringing entirely different things. There is going to be no value to a man of my ability to cook or clean if he likes to eat often and has a house cleaner. Just because it's may seem positive input to me doesn't mean it is to him and of course vice versa.
That's just me though. I'm careful about who I depend on, the likelihood of me feeling comfortable being a dependent on anyone is on the minus scale....which is why I strive for balance which is not always easy Some women are less worried about that, just as some men are. I have always tried to live a relatively independent life. As such, I feel I have more options of what I could "input" into a relationship..that range from tangible to less tangible things. The key I think (for me) is not to let a man I like feel as though I can input so much that he is superfluos to my needs other than the obvious. That can be the downside of being independent at times...which could also be a topic in the misconception thread
Happy Sunday all.
C xxxx