The real problem with this podcaster's ‘stay-at-home wife' fantasy
In a now-viral video shared to Instagram last week, Australian podcaster Chris Griffin talked about what he sees to be an ideal relationship dynamic: men going off to work and making it big, while women stay at home and play house. Welcome to 2025, where everything old is new again.
According to Griffin, 'a man that's got a busy life, that's chasing his dreams' needs a stay-at-home girlfriend or wife so he can truly succeed and reach his maximum potential; someone on hand to offer up 'calm', 'harmony', 'peace and love' at the end of the day.
What they don't need, Griffin says, is a woman 'complaining about your day when we don't need you to make money'. One reason for this is that while men benefit from experiencing challenges and learning to overcome hardships in their lives, women don't need to do that in order 'to be an amazing girl'.
I could write an entire thesis about what's wrong with the many things Griffin said in this almost two-hour episode of his podcast, but in the interests of staying sane, I'll stick to the financial assertions – namely, that if a man earns enough to support his family financially, then a woman should give up on her own career or financial ambitions and focus on staying at home.
To be crystal clear, there is absolutely nothing wrong with women choosing to take time out from their careers or permanently giving up work if that's what they want to do. I am fully on board with and endorse women doing what's right for them and their family.
But there is something wrong with a partner pushing that on someone else, rather than an informed and empowered decision that she makes for herself. Most importantly, the cost of doing what's right for you, your partner and family shouldn't be a financial expense worn solely by women.
Women are earning less than their partners, despite doing just as much work. It's amazing we're able to offer any peace or love at all.
As report after report and statistic after statistic show, opting out of paid work, even for a few years, can have serious long-term financial ramifications for a woman and follow her for the rest of her life. Because of that, ensuring you and your partner are on the same page and that you're protected before you step away from paid work or reduce your working hours is critical.
This includes discussing what the day-to-day financial setup will be, all the way down to worst-case scenarios. For example, are you provided with a stipend or do you have unlimited access to a shared account? If you see something you love and want to treat yourself, do you have to seek permission before hitting 'add to cart'?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
‘Protect our national interests': Albanese resists pressure to boost defence spending
ANU National Security College's Jennifer Parker says the Australian government must address defence spending to 'protect our national interests'. 'Australia could do that to be politically creative, and it might take some of the pressure off us,' Ms Parker told Sky News Australia. 'I think we've got to think about why do we need to increase defence spending, and it's not just because our allies are requesting it, it's actually because we don't have the capabilities that we need to protect our national interest. 'We must address defence spending to address our own national interest.'
Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Sky News AU
NSW Labor picks former Liberal premier Dominic Perrottet for top government position
NSW Labor Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has recruited former Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet to bolster the government's investment strategies. The Saturday Telegraph revealed Mr Perrottet, a former Treasurer and later Premier would serve as the newest member of the NSW Treasury Corporation board known as T-Corp. The call was made by NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey. Mr Perrottet served as the state's 46th Premier from 2021-23 following the resignation of former Premier Gladys Berejiklian. He is currently working in Washington DC for Australian multinational mining and metals corporation BHP as head of corporate and external affairs. TCorp is the financial services partner to the NSW public sector, providing investment management and financial management solutions and advice to the government. With $117bn of assets under its management, TCorp also serves as the NSW government's sovereign investment manager. TCorp further acts as the central borrowing authority for the state with a balance sheet of $198bn. Mr Perrottet is the only former politician on the board, with the majority of members coming from a banking, superannuation and auditing background. It is believed Mr Perrottet will sit on the board while continuing his role at BHP. Mr Mookhey met with the former premier during his trip to Washington DC four months ago, with Mr Perrottet writing on his LinkedIn at the time that the two spoke about matters that were 'critical to both the US and Australia.' 'Yesterday I had the privilege of hosting NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey at the BHP Washington DC office for an important and timely discussion about issues that are critical to both the US and Australia,' Mr Perrottet wrote. 'It was a great opportunity for us to bring together business and opinion leaders as well as policymakers at a dynamic time to discuss the trends shaping the US market, the importance of critical minerals in the energy agenda, and the global competition for capital investment. 'The event underscored the importance of international collaboration and strategic engagement in navigating economic challenges and opportunities. It was a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and building partnerships that will benefit both countries.' However, Mr Perrottet is not the only former NSW Liberal figure to take up a post with a Labor government, with ex treasurer and energy minister Matt Kean appointed as chair of the federal Climate Change Authority by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last year. Mr Kean who passed legislation to cement NSW's net zero emissions reduction targets said the CCA was 'close' to handing down its recommendation to the federal government on the highly anticipated 2035 carbon reduction targets.
The Age
9 hours ago
- The Age
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez marry in lavish Venice ceremony
Amid tight security, there have been glimpses of the celebrities moving around town, the women in summer dresses and high heels stepping somewhat gingerly off boats ferrying them around the city's canals. Celebrations began on Thursday evening in the cloisters of Madonna dell'Orto, a medieval church in the central district of Cannaregio that hosts masterpieces by 16th-century painter Tintoretto. 'This magical place has gifted us unforgettable memories,' the bride and groom said on their wedding invitation, in which they asked for 'no gifts' and pledged charity donations for three Venetian institutions. Their donations are worth €3 million ($5.3 million). Protest movement Businesses have welcomed the glitz and glamour, but the event is opposed by a local protest movement whose members resent what they see as Venice being gift-wrapped for ultra-rich outsiders. Bezos is No. 4 on Forbes' global billionaires list. Giulia Cacopardo, a 28-year-old representative of the 'No Space for Bezos' movement, complained that the needs of ordinary people were being neglected in a city that is a tourist magnet and fast depopulating largely due to the soaring cost of living. Venice's city centre has less than 50,000 residents, compared to almost 100,000 in the late 1970s. 'When you empty a city of its inhabitants, you can turn it into a stage for big events,' Cacopardo told Reuters. '[But] the money that Bezos spends on this wedding does not end up in the pockets of Venetians. The owners of luxury hotels are not Venetians.' Cacopardo was one of 30-40 activists who staged a protest in St Mark's Square on Thursday, chanting 'We are the 99 per cent' as a masked couple posed as bride and groom and one man climbed a pole to unfurl a banner reading 'The 1% ruins the world'. Police intervened, forcibly removing the protesters. The anti-Bezos front was planning a march on Saturday, and their activities have already led authorities to step up security and move the location of the closing party to a more secluded part of Venice, the Arsenale former shipyard. Charlotte Perkins, an Australian tourist, said she could understand the locals' resentment at their city being treated as a celebrity playground. 'I'd probably feel the same if I lived here,' she said. But politicians, hoteliers and some other Venice residents are happy about the wedding, saying such events do more to support the local economy than the multitudes of day-trippers who normally overrun the city. 'We are happy and honoured to welcome Jeff Bezos and his consort Lauren Sanchez,' said Mayor Luigi Brugnaro, who sent white roses to the bride and a maxi-bottle of Amarone luxury red wine to the groom.
