In my view: Husbands will be scarce by 2023

There has been a newspaper headline doing the rounds on social media.

“Husbands will be scarce by 2023” is what it says in bold writing.

I burst out laughing the first time I saw it on Facebook.

Of all the things going wrong in the world, add this to the list.

Whether it is applicable to us here in South Africa, I’m not sure.

Imagine if it was though. Are they talking about ‘good husbands’ or just husbands in general?

What was more shocking to me were the nervous responses by some single women.

What would it mean?

Are we all just going to try and outrun one another, chasing a poor and unassuming groom down the street within the next two years?

Are we soon going to be facing a real-life version of “The Bachelor”? I really hope not.

Most people enjoy a good dating show now and then, strangers falling in love even though the circumstances leading to it are completely unconventional.

Are shows like those an indication of single people’s desperation or detrimental to the marriage-minded?

Does it mean that we should start responding to all those unopened messages, out of fear that Mr Right is in our inbox and we’ve ignored him?

If husbands are really becoming scarce, are polygamous marriages going to become more popular?

So many questions, yet so few answers.

The fact that women are worried about this potential scarcity has me worried.

I was always taught that the goal in life is to find your feet, become an independent adult, find a stable source of income and then maybe settle down.

And no, a husband does not qualify as a stable source of income.

At the age of 22, observing relationships around me (especially amongst our generation) has led me to believe that a good marriage is probably more scarce than gold.

Allow me to explain.

There are those who marry for love and there are those who marry for money.

I hate to burst your bubble but a husband is not the solution to your financial burdens, or your wife for that matter.

I suppose it is a different case if your partner occasionally enjoys spoiling you, but it is not an excuse to take advantage of them.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the idea of marriage, this discussion is just in good fun.

All I’m saying is that we have so many more opportunities compared to those who came before us.

In the past, women were expected to get married, have children and usually stay home.

Today we have the chance to embrace independence and earning potential, so why not grab it?

In my view, focus on yourself, chase your dreams and let that partner find you later because what is meant to be, always will be.

Although, if husbands really are becoming scarce and it ends up being a race to the altar, then I’ll see you guys at the finish line.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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