Students talk about women making more money than men

(U-WIRE) TOLEDO, Ohio -- "Mechanical engineering is a field made up mostly of men; I'm the only girl in all of my classes, and I'm also Mexican and bilingual, so I've got pretty much all the bases covered," said Amanda Wells, a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering.

Wells belongs to the increasing number of women who are likely to make more money than their husbands.

"My boyfriend is in the insulators' union, and his salary will eventually top out at around $80,000 a year," Wells said. "I've been told that I could be making $85,000 to $100,000 right out of college."

Wells has talked to her boyfriend about that prospect, too.

"He finds it amusing that I'll be making a lot more than him, and he jokes about it," she said. "I think, though, that he also feels a little uncomfortable. I know he wants to be the man of the house, bringing home the money, but I think the idea of me bringing home more money is something he's getting used to."

However, Wells doesn't think it will be a problem.

"The bills won't necessarily be split 50-50, since I'll be making more, but we'll both be contributing," she said.

Danielle Baker, a junior at the University of Findlay, is an interior and graphic design student who is in a five-and-a-half year relationship.

Baker said that she, too, has the potential to make more money than her husband.

"In a year when I receive both of my degrees, I plan to join an interior design company and learn from the professionals," Baker said. "When I'm skilled enough to do my job on my own, I want to start a residential interior design business."

Baker's hopeful that she can find some wealthy clients and create a base for my business," she said.

Baker also said that she has talked to her boyfriend, and that he does not have any problem with the possibility of her making more than him.

"I've talked to him about it on many occasions," she said. "The general feeling was that he would be ecstatic if I made more money than him, and he jokes about how he'll be able to stay at home and raise the children on my nice salary.

Baker does see the possibility of minor problems when one partner makes a lot more than the other, but she said that ultimately, money is only a small factor in sustaining a loving relationship.

"A real relationship is about sharing and giving back to the other person as much as you can," Baker said. "I don't doubt that jealousy might come into play on occasion, but that is just human nature, and in the long run, the bigger picture is about overall quality of life and happiness."

Like Wells and her boyfriend, Baker said that she and her boyfriend are open about money and would share the financial responsibilities of the household.

"I believe that a marriage should include a joint bank account because without this, there is not complete trust in a relationship," Baker said. "You should discuss large purchases and credit decisions since it affects both parties involved, but I don't think that one person should have more say in the money-related decisions."

Baker believes that it doesn't matter which partner is making more money in a relationship, so long as money is being made.

"I don't see any problems in making money," she said. "I see problems with not having money, because I've fought over not having enough for rent or groceries. I can't see myself having to fight about having nice things," she said. If anything, it would help the relationship since statistics show that a lot of divorces happen over money issues."

Having the money in the future would stop the stress that comes with being broke, Baker said.

(C) 2006 The Independent Collegian via U-WIRE