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In the struggle for gender equality, women have long won a victory: they decide whether to have a family and children, whom to vote for, what profession to choose, where to work and how much to work. Three women who fully provide for the family spoke about the reasons for their choice. And three men, who wished to remain anonymous, and a psychologist commented on these stories.
History №1
Olga, 36 years old. He teaches French at the institute, on weekends and free time he is engaged in tutoring via Skype. The total income from a 60-hour work week is enough for her, her young husband, and a five-year-old daughter from her first marriage.
“After the divorce, left alone with the child, I was sure that I would never marry again. But after two years of loneliness, I realized that I wanted a full-fledged family. On a dating site, I met Igor and after three weeks of romantic correspondence I went to him.
Igor then lived with his mother in the Moscow region, and Olga offered to organize a move to Moscow, help find a job and support financially. All she wanted in return was love.
“Now Igor takes care of the house, helps me with my daughter — they became great friends — and receives a higher education in absentia. And I am happy: I have a beloved man and an interesting job, and my daughter has parents. I don’t want Igor to work. When he is at home, I am calmer.”
History №2
Elizabeth, 31 years old. She admits that it is very difficult to work 12 hours a day, but she cannot get out of this regime — she gave her husband her word.
“Four months ago, Anton was offered an internship at a large European company. I knew how much he wanted to get this job, and I promised to take all the financial obligations on myself: now I pay the rent for an apartment, Anton’s car loan, buy food and clothes for both of us. My husband’s salary during the internship period is only enough for small expenses, mostly his personal expenses.”
The situation is aggravated by the fact that Elizabeth’s husband has not yet received an offer from the company. But, despite all the hard work in non-stop mode, she continues to believe in her husband, support him and does not roll up scandals. She believes in the future of their family, which, thanks to this test, will only become stronger.
History №3
Hope, 55 years old. Recently retired, but continues to work as an executive in an insurance company. A year ago, she met Victor and invited him to live with her.
“He has golden hands! When he moved in with me, I was undergoing a lengthy repair, and Vitya finished everything with his own hands: he blocked the roof, built a gazebo in the yard in the summer, and helps me at the dacha. And he is an interesting conversationalist — he meets me from work, and we sit for hours in the kitchen and cannot talk enough.
Before meeting Nadezhda, Victor worked as a foreman at a construction site. After the death of his wife, he often drank, sometimes at work. Now the new companion is categorically against him returning to work, for fear of again facing the problem of alcohol and losing such an assistant.
She gives him pocket money, fully provides for general leisure, but she goes on vacation alone — someone has to look after the house: “I love my job and earn enough to allow myself to brighten up my pension with pleasant communication. Vitya is now my best friend, and I can’t imagine what I would do without him.”