Love and The Double Standard

"Mocha-what?"

Let’s be real here, there are double standards in relationships that we don't like to admit.  Many people in society applaud a man who dates a gorgeous woman who is "finding herself" while they deride a woman who dates a handsome man who is unemployed.

Recently Love and the Black Woman came across an article at the Very Smart Brothas online magazine, discussing the Clutch Magazine piece “But He Works at Starbucks!”
 I’m sure you can figure out what they’re talking about. It’s a gender-based double standard that creeps into every relationship: your significant other’s J.O.B.

God forbid the man doesn’t hold such a reputable position (in Clutch Magazines example, her new “boo” worked at Starbucks). Once the man revealed his occupation he was written off almost instantly—and more important, unfairly.

Such closed-mindedness can lead to a sinking apprehension when choosing a mate. Sure he’s not working at some high class law firm or advertising agency, rolling in dough, and spending the weekends driving around Beverly Hills in his Bentley, but at least he is engaging in honest work.

Women seem to be preoccupied with a man's occupation, and higher salaried jobs make men suddenly appear sexier. Is this obsession unwarranted?  Does it lead women to miss out on wonderful opportunities of love? Are there 58-year-old cat worshipers who could avoided such a sad fate had they only been more open minded when it comes to occupations?

Men on the other hand, tend to be less concerned with a woman's career. They may focus on features more--albeit shallow--but they don’t shoot down and wield an apprehension towards “Entry-Levelers” (a psuedonym for people who have less “prestigious” positions).

Our view is that the occupation is not that important in the grand scheme of things. If a man or woman treats you well and there is parity in other ways, and understanding, then the love is worth working on, not just brushing it to the side letting it whither.

What we want to know is whether you have you ever stopped yourself from taking that next relationship step because of the job that they hold down. It could be any position, no position, or an illegal hustle. We just want to hear your story of finding or rejecting love based on occupation.