Talk about a Catch-22: while being unemployed provides the free time many engaged couples trying to plan a wedding would kill for, turns out tying the knot isn't on the horizon for most recession victims.
According to a recent YourTango and ForbesWoman survey, 75% of women wouldn't marry someone who was unemployed, and 65% wouldn't tie the knot if they themselves were jobless. Ironically, 91 percent of single women say they would marry for love over money.
"It is ironic that women place more weight on love than money, yet won't marry if they or their potential suitor is unemployed," said Meghan Casserly, Reporter, ForbesWoman. "A job can make or break the longevity of a relationship and the results of the survey demonstrate just what an important role careers play in romance."
YourTango CEO & founder Andrea Miller pointed out that the 9.1% unemployment rate means nearly a tenth of the US population is battling a job loss--and all the love life repercussions that accompany it.
One unemployed senior executive and mother of two admitted to YourTango that her job loss was wreaking havoc on her marriage: "I find myself picking fights that I never would. I just feel like a failure, like I'm letting everyone down… I have an amazing husband and a very strong marriage, but this event has effectively changed the DNA of our relationship."While there are no doubt some benefits to dating the unemployed, there's no denying the struggles job loss can create in a relationship--foundling and founded alike.
Has job loss affected your relationships? Tell us about it below.
Get more advice on handling unemployment & love:
- 6 Ways To Cheer On An Unemployed Partner
- How The Recession Changed Relationships--Forever
- Date On A Dime Without Looking Like A Cheap Skate
