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To be upset about DSS comment about DH and I

144 replies

Friendof · 16/09/2026 08:38

We were out for lunch as a family, talking about careers / uni / future with DSS 18. When he started saying that he didn’t think it was right that I earn more than DH, that it isn’t right, not how he wants to be in the future, he sees it as the man’s role to be the provider.
He’s never said anything like this in the past and found the comment really worrying. DH and I are a team, it doesn’t matter who earns what just that we like our jobs and can provide well for our family. I know these attitudes exist, but find it upsetting to be coming from DSS. I’m pretty pissed, why isn’t he seeing it as a positive thing?

OP posts:
wifty · 16/09/2026 11:40

I do wonder why some people‘s kids need to know who earns what

I am an adult and I have never known either of my parent’s salaries! 😂

Maybe I’m the odd one out!

G5000 · 16/09/2026 12:09

He is allowed to have his preferences. Just like girls can say that they would rather find a man who is happy for them to be a SAHM. Then they will get together and live hopefully happily ever after.

It really isn't his business to comment how much you and your DH earn though and this blanket statements about gender roles are indeed worrying. Sounds very much like he has fallen into the manosphere rabbit hole. There is a lot of good advice how to approach this situation (ridiculing or going nuclear is not good option).

Tryagain26 · 16/09/2026 12:13

ElefantAndCastle · 16/09/2026 08:40

He is young. Wouldn't engage in it.

The time to engage and challenge something that is mysoginist is when the person saying it is young. If views like this are unchallenged they can escalate.

GoodGirlFaith · 16/09/2026 12:15

And today on It Didn't Happen...

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/09/2026 12:17

Oh I would not let that go...

"Do you think your father should be paid more for the job he does? Or that he should get a different job, even though he enjoys the job he does?'
'Are you suggesting your father does not contribute enough to the family?'
'are you suggesting your father is not sufficiently experienced or qualified to earn more?'
'do you believe I should be paid less for what I do?'
'do you believe I should quit and take a less well paid role to bring my income down to below that of your fathers, if so... why?'

Pin the little squit down and really question these ideas, don't TELL him he is wrong... just examine the whole stinking attitude thoroughly and find out what the root of it is, in the hopes that HE realises its based on total shite and he's making a prick of himself.

HoppingPavlova · 16/09/2026 12:19

And exactly what did your DH say immediately at the time to set his son right on this?

Hopelesscase32 · 16/09/2026 12:29

Why is he even aware of what you both make? My children don't know our salaries because its none of their business

FriendlyMedusa · 16/09/2026 12:32

WiddlinDiddlin · 16/09/2026 12:17

Oh I would not let that go...

"Do you think your father should be paid more for the job he does? Or that he should get a different job, even though he enjoys the job he does?'
'Are you suggesting your father does not contribute enough to the family?'
'are you suggesting your father is not sufficiently experienced or qualified to earn more?'
'do you believe I should be paid less for what I do?'
'do you believe I should quit and take a less well paid role to bring my income down to below that of your fathers, if so... why?'

Pin the little squit down and really question these ideas, don't TELL him he is wrong... just examine the whole stinking attitude thoroughly and find out what the root of it is, in the hopes that HE realises its based on total shite and he's making a prick of himself.

This. Roll out these exact questions. I'd add "so do you think it's fine if a woman demanded money from you?", "what sort of job will you be doing to ensure you're a provider?", and "if a wealthy girl fell in love with you and she was perfect in every other way, are you saying no?"

ThatLemonBee · 16/09/2026 12:33

Your husband should have dealt with this pig misogyny right then and there ! What did he say ?

HouseBee · 16/09/2026 12:33

ElefantAndCastle · 16/09/2026 08:40

He is young. Wouldn't engage in it.

I see it a different way. He is young, a time when you might still have some influence. That’s when you want to use it.
When they are 25 or 30yo and ideas are well entrentched

Insidelaurashead · 16/09/2026 12:36

I'd be tempted to ask him to elaborate. If he means it's not fair that you, OP, run yourself ragged whilst his Dad works part time and plays golf every afternoon, then that's probably fair. If his view is he wants his future partner to have less stress because he wants to provide so that she (or he!) can choose a job they love, and have a less stressful life-then that's not awful. But if it's a 'women don't deserve big jobs' then thats different

wfhwfh · 16/09/2026 12:37

This is very upsetting but I think it should be his father who speaks to him to understand what is going on

TonyDancer · 16/09/2026 12:50

The folly of youth. He’ll learn

JoshLymanSwagger · 16/09/2026 12:51

Bellyblueboy · 16/09/2026 10:18

It’s not a positive that he thinks men should earn more than women.

Why would anyone be positive about this attitude? What if he finds a ‘trad wife’ and they have daughters? What next - girls shouldn’t go to university because they will just get married and stop working?

it is certainly is an attitude in any young man that society needs to challenge. Early, subtle sexism and misogyny is at one end of a very scary spectrum of attitudes about women and girls.

Yeah, it's bordering on Handmaids Tale then.

Anyway, he's 18 and has an awful lot of growing up to do before he should be inflicted on an unsuspecting female.🤞🏻

As long as daughters are taught to ignore this shite, then as a species, we're going in the right direction.

JHound · 16/09/2026 12:54

Friendof · 16/09/2026 08:38

We were out for lunch as a family, talking about careers / uni / future with DSS 18. When he started saying that he didn’t think it was right that I earn more than DH, that it isn’t right, not how he wants to be in the future, he sees it as the man’s role to be the provider.
He’s never said anything like this in the past and found the comment really worrying. DH and I are a team, it doesn’t matter who earns what just that we like our jobs and can provide well for our family. I know these attitudes exist, but find it upsetting to be coming from DSS. I’m pretty pissed, why isn’t he seeing it as a positive thing?

I would have responded that I always thought the dinosaurs had gone extinct so am surprised to see one milling around.

EmmaB1309 · 16/09/2026 14:14

Treat such comments with the contempt they deserve, tell him to shut up and not be so old fashioned and sexist. No doubt he’s watching some mysogynist shit on social media.

bert3400 · 16/09/2026 14:31

Honestly I wouldn't worry about this unless it really starts to escalate. Many years ago my then 24DS started sprouting nonsense about the incel movement, how they understood how young men were being left behind etc, really whoa is me shit. Any way 12 years later nothing like that would ever come out of his mouth. He's in a beautiful relationship with a lovely woman who earns more than him and he couldn't be prouder. About to become a father and he will probably be the main caregiver for his baby. The boy at 24 is not the man he is today.

Elsieandme · 16/09/2026 14:38

Wow, first thing you need to know is where he’s getting these opinions from . I have 2 sons and 1 daughter. One son’s wife earns double his salary and he’s got a very good job , with in work benefits but hers outshine his immensely and both enjoying them . My daughter earns potentially 20k more than her husband, again she has in work benefits which he doesn’t. Other son is highest earner but his partner is high up in her career and has in work benefits as my son is self employed. There’s literally no egos, they all share responsibilities within their relationships and homes . He isn’t going to go far with this attitude, women don’t want men who don’t value their individual independence.

BruFord · 16/09/2026 14:42

Yes, he's been following some crap online and he'll probably outgrow it. As @OhNoooooooooooooooo says though, is he having a go at his Dad? Do they generally have a good relationship, or does he not really respect his Dad (and are there reasons why he might feel that way)? Your DH needs to speak to him about these comments.

I'm willing to bet that he'll meet and fall in love with an ambitious woman in the coming years and all this will go out of the window.

nomas · 16/09/2026 14:46

Privately I'd be thinking what a little shit.

Make sure your share of any property/savings goes solely to your kids/siblings etc, not to him.

Get your will looked at asap.

DangerousLesions · 16/09/2026 14:49

The irony will be he'll end up with a woman / partner who earns twice as much as him. I said a lot of stupid stuff with ridiculous confidence at that age because I thought it was cool and edgy to take an unpopular or controversial view. Probably still do.

AnonyMumAuDHD · 16/09/2026 14:52

Unreasonable to be upset - totally reasonable to be disgusted by his attitude and to tell him so. Would be upset if DH didn’t set him straight.

3within3 · 16/09/2026 14:53

I’d be interested to know if he thinks that’s because men should work more, or if it’s because he thinks they should get paid more for the work that they do do?

Duchoftheterrace · 16/09/2026 15:00

I would treat that sort of comment with gentle ridicule - laugh out loud and ask him if we've suddenly returned to the 60's.

seahorsessky · 16/09/2026 15:21

It makes me sick that my daughter is exposed to videos saying she should concentrate on being pretty and getting a man to pay for stuff for her (now there's nothing wrong with a woman being a SAHM if she and her husband can afford it and are happy, but women should get educated and a job first, because you never know what the future can bring). Sounds like your son is seeing the same sorts of things. And before anyone says don't give her access, fine but friends' parents give them phones so short of homeschooling and keeping them away from all other kids, what can we do?
We just need to talk to them, as best we can, and explain how misogyny is dangerous to both boys and girls.
And I recently saw a post about how Pink's Stupid Girls song was tearing down women-so depressing that younger ones see things that way.

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