The laws of attraction

Once upon a time the law of attraction was a simple one. Women were attracted to the hunter who could kill the largest beast, the strongest Alpha male who, in turn, would bring home the most food to support the family. Genetics and "status," therefore, went hand-in-hand.

Throughout the years the law of attraction has wavered. Physical appearance and hunting ability (read: finances) are no longer synonymous. While women are naturally attracted to the the man who will provide good offspring they are equally attracted to the one who can support the family. This has been documented through various research projects and explains to some extent why women appear to be attracted to money. There is a genetic connection.

What will happen, however, now that women have shed the domestic life and ventured into the boardroom? If they're able to catch their own beast will they still need a man to provide it for them or will their genetic makeup and preferences change?

This was a topic for discussion over wine and appies on Friday's girls' night. We all agreed we'd been raised with the expectation that the male would be the breadwinner. Society (and, possibly, our parents) instilled in us we could do whatever we wanted as women - so long as the man brought home a larger paycheque. Mothers shared with their daughters that a man would be uncomfortable if a woman made more money than him and that, for a harmonious marriage, women must still be somewhat subservient to their husbands. Despite this advice, many of us continue to pursue educational and professional goals; the thrill of promotions and progress are contagious.

But as we climb the corporate ladder the pool of available suitors is becoming more shallow. As we become managers, directors and VPs, the pyramidal executive ranking hinders our chances of finding the one.

What is the single professional woman to do? Does she cast off the teachings of society that the man needs to be superior? Stories of women heading to the boardroom and men staying home with the children have become urban folklore of recent times. Interestingly enough, for some of the executive females in my own company it made financial sense for the man to stay home while they continued working. I wonder if these women purposely sought out men who would be content with living the domestic life? Were they conscious of their actions in finding a partner who could be the caregiver or was it purely a financial decision once her prospects began to improve?

It is a topic I must give increasing thought to. Always pursuing the (future) executive, will this man be happy with my equal - or possibly greater - vocational status? How do his genetics come into play? Like his ancestors, is he looking strictly for the woman to provide offspring or has his makeup changed now that women are gaining ground? While DNA can take centuries to adapt, my timeline is much shorter. Any suggestions for genetic modification are welcome!