What’s your definition of provider, folks? Let’s face facts: this new economy has taken the institution of marriage on a rollercoaster ride. With joblessness and financial crisis at an all-time high, the traditional roles of mother/wife, father/husband, and “man as provider” have been challenged. So, at this time, do gender roles take place in the answering the question, “what is a provider?” Read on to understand more about the definition of provider in a marriage.
Here’s What You Need to Know About the Definition of Provider
In this article:
- Women as Providers
- The Changing Family Structure
- Money Doesn’t Equal Provision
- How Can a Man Be A Provider?
Women as Providers
Some stay-at-home moms are going back to work and men have taken up 24-hour residence in their homes, unable to find work in their fields of expertise or any field at all. In many instances, women are becoming the breadwinners in the family, and men are becoming the caretakers.
The Changing Family Structure
In some unfortunate circumstances, both partners are home, hating that they’re seemingly out of options and growing to hate each other in the process. The family structure has been forever altered. With the prospect of a double-dip recession looming in the near future, this scenario isn’t likely to change anytime soon.
Also, like most long-standing traditions that we experience, the corresponding thoughts and ideologies supporting them are much slower to follow suit. Think of how long it’s taken racism to go away since the abolition of slavery, oh wait, though, it’s no longer overt, racism hasn’t gone anywhere.
Money Doesn’t Equal Provision
Money isn’t everything, but it sure does help. It puts food on the table, a roof above our heads and keeps us clothed. On the other hand, money can also be used to pay for prostitutes and to buy illegal drugs. It’s a means to an end. Money by itself doesn’t corrupt, but rather, gives the corrupt individual an opportunity to do as he or she pleases. Also, it’s an enabler taking on the character of the person who possesses it. Being a provider is an aspect of a person’s character, not their income.
How Can a Man Be a Provider?
The traditional “husband as provider” setup is usually associated with just financial support, but if the man who can’t provide financially jumps in with both feet to start managing the house and caring or the kids, he is providing. And if he is out there filled with ambition, networking, volunteering, taking classes, and generally trying his best to get back into the workforce, he is providing for his and your collective futures.
If, once he stops working, he starts caring more for you, cooking, being your cheerleader, being happy to see you walk through the door after a long day’s work, he is providing for your emotional well-being. There’s no price you can put on the value of these actions. No different than there should ever be a price placed on the intangible work that women, mothers, and wives do every day.
Ladies, learn tips on how to make your man feel needed when you’re the breadwinner in this video from ilmememe:
In essence, there are plenty of people who have money who do none of the above. With this, being the breadwinner doesn’t exactly make you a provider. It’s what a person does with their time, talents and efforts for the good of those for whom they are responsible to serve.
What are your thoughts about the definition of provider, BMWK? Tell us in the comments section below!
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on September 27, 2011, it has been updated for accuracy and relevancy.