Ladies, you've come a long way, baby. But have you gone too far? Recent research seems to think so. A University of South Florida study concluded that while women feel better in their relationships with men after experiencing professional success, the man's self-esteem can take a hit. Men were given a test to see how they felt subconsciously about their partners' successes, such as work promotions. It could be due to men's natural competitive nature, but it still points to traditional views of gender roles. The author of the study, Kate Ratliff, concluded, "Self-esteem might be impacted when one fails to fulfill the roles ascribed to one's gender." For women who have carved a successful path in the world, this revelation can be really discouraging. After all, women in the same jobs as men still make less money – 77 cents per dollar men earn, to be exact -- and have to work harder to earn the same accolades.
When men experience success, conversely, their mates celebrate their successes without taking it personally. In fact, researchers found that women "reported feeling happier in the relationship when men succeeded." Does that mean women should stifle their ambition for the sake of their partner's ego? Of course not. Certainly women shouldn't keep their success a secret, nor should they feel inadequate when their mates experience success. So what should you do if he doesn't celebrate your achievement? Not much – his feelings are his problem, not yours. If you're considering marriage, then each of your feelings on traditional gender roles may be something worth discussing before taking the plunge.