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Love in the time of recession
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We’ve all heard the bad economic news. The slow and dreaded climb out of the current economic crisis will be slow and painful. In this unknown territory of foreclosures, loss of income and jobs, how does this in turn affect your love life?
In a society that has largely valued material possessions and status, there would seem to be startling implications for relationships that are founded on the ability to maintain a certain standard of living. Jobs providing six-figure salaries are drying up for many and high earning potential is looking more like a thing of the past. In our mortgaged, pay-for-it on credit lives, what happens when away goes the job, the bank account and even possibly our homes? Is it inevitable, as some would say, that love goes when the money goes?
Reporter Alex Johnson of MSNBC recently reported on the growing trend of couples seeking divorce who simply can’t afford it. With couples losing jobs and homes, it is unthinkable in the current economic crisis to spend the estimated cost of a divorce which can range between $53,000 and $188,000 according to census compiled by Divorce360.com.
Other reports indicate a return to core family values that include sticking together in times of crisis and focusing on what’s really important. Having a supportive partner “for richer and for poorer” may be a traditional belief, but carries a lot of weight considering the challenges that some families are facing.
For women seeking dating relationships and marriage especially, the trend has been for some time to evaluate a potential mate with respect to a man’s earning potential. Male sex-appeal and attractiveness is often tied to material wealth and earning potential. Traditional dating practices of the upwardly mobile, such as dining out at expensive restaurants, impromptu getaways, and expensive gifts, may be something of the past.
It will be interesting to observe trends in the divorce rate, and dating practices of those seeking a potential life partner over the next several years. For sure, along with shrinking bank-accounts there will be most likely changes in core values regarding long-term security.
If you would like to share your views and experiences regarding love and money, I would love to hear from you.
Leslie Miller, LICSW
Please email comments and questions to: lmiller@therapyontheweb.org
