Men and Achievement: More Romantic than Engaged?

Eureka, I've found it!

Business-related research that finally allows the kind of cheesy headline to attract readers from all genres while losing my core group in the process.

Please say you'll still love me in the morning.

The headline in Science Daily reads:

Men Choose Romance Over Success

Men may be more willing than women to sacrifice achievement goals for a romantic relationship.

This according to a new study by Catherine Mosher of Duke Medical Center and Sharon Danoff-Burg from the University of Albany.

The findings challenge preconceptions that women are more likely to prioritize people and relationships while men are more focused on themselves and their achievements.

Both groups wanted achievement and relational intimacy. But the men were more likely to give romance the priority if faced with a choice between a relationship and career, education, and travel.

Hmm. Here's a deep "guy" life question:

Shall I spend the day working my tail off, getting up early for a lecture, and standing in line at the airport?

OR,

Do I spend the day making out with my girlfriend? (Please note my totally unapologetic and obviously un-evolved male bias toward a definition of romance and relationship).

The men and women in the study were college students who, as we know, are deeply committed to distinguishing the difference between romance, relationships, and achievement.

Interestingly, the researchers posit that the women in the study may be more strongly committed to career achievement and less likely to sacrifice it for a relationship.

What If It Proves to be True?

Would that change the dynamic when it comes to hiring, promotion, and making assumptions about employee engagement based on demographics?

For a fascinating look at a historical example of the relationship between romance and success, do read "Would You Rather Be Right or Romantic?" 
 

Comments

[Shelia]

Dependent upon someone's age they might have to look a bit to get some answers on this. But if you've spent more than 10 years in the workplace and obtained at least reasonable positioning on the ladder, you know what's up. Especially if you travel. That's when you really see who's at work and who's makin whoopie.

[steveroesler]

Hi there, Shelia,

Well, I wondered how quickly the research would take us in a little different direction.

If I had thought about a prize, you'd be the winner! :-)

[Karin H.]

Of course we stay here Steve!

My thoughts: time, trends, ceiling.

For decades men have been career chasers, defending their 'rights' against upcoming women career chasers. They, the men, are now more relaxed on it - specially this group of college students.
Women are still in the mode of fighting that ceiling ("glass ceiling" that in many areas still exists in women career paths), hence when asked that specific question they react in the 'fighting' mode.

so, give it time and the women too will realise that most of the fighting is over and find their own (new) balance between romance and success - they will find they can have both ;-)

Karin H. (Keep It Simple Sweetheart, specially in business)

[Steve Roesler]

Ah, Karin, I'm hearing the voice of thoughtful experience here.

Your insight could very well lead to a future post. Perhaps something like "Balance: That Which We No Longer Have to Fight For" or something similar.

Shall we collaborate?

[Karin H.]

Steve, let me see now....

Kent wants me to fill a blog on "How treating customers decently will turn them into loyal customers",
You want me to run a workshop on "Keep It Virtually Simple, Sweetheart",
Richard C wants me to prepare many marketing items for our next lunch-meeting (this Friday!).
Then there's my normal (wood)work, the gaining in popularity of The Blog-Studio's blog workshops, various meme's/tags I still have to honour.

Help, reaching a ceiling here ;-)

But love the idea! ! ! Sure we'll work something out (somewhere, sometime, somehow)

Karin H.

[Steve Roesler]

Oh, no problem and no rush, Karin.

Not surprised about the demand...although it challenges the simplicity of it all, eh?

Let's just say we'll look into it at the right moment!

[Karin H.]

;-)

Re challenge to simplicity: to be honest, because we make it 'simple' the demand is high, which on its own challenges the simplicity of my work-load ;-)

We will definitely write that post some day soon (where are weekends for anyway? )

Karin H.

[dawna jones]

At a time when people are seeking fulfillment and work is not doing it relationship needs to. Makes sense to me. People are people...follow the joy!

[Steve Roesler]

Dawna,

Now that's a clear and thoughtful look at the situation. I like it.

[Blondu]

Where can I find now "Would You Rather Be Right or Romantic?" .