The latest social debate to sweep the internet is over ‘wife bonuses’. It has sparked extreme opinions both for and against, and has raised questions of feminism, sexism and female pride. So, what’s it all about?
The ‘wife bonus’ is received by stay-at-home mums who have given up their careers (and salary) to raise their family. It is given to them by their working husbands to fund their shopping, leisure activities and general needs outside the standard family finances.
Polly Phillips, 32, has a particular story that has flung the internet into a state of frenzy. After giving up her London career, Polly now receives 20% of her husband’s company bonus, which she spends on designer shopping sprees including £1000 coats and £550 shoes.
Polly has defended her lifestyle in the media and shunned any accusations that her actions make her anti-feminist. She told the New York Post that 'Women are happy to access joint accounts freely but somehow find sharing a bonus, which is surely the natural extension of this, offensive.
‘To me, there can be nothing more feminist than believing that staying home to take care of our daughter – as well as the day-to-day washing, ironing, cooking and cleaning – is just as worthy of a wage as going out to a job outside the home.’
The internet and specifically the #wifebonus hashtag have brought us a wealth of opinions on the subject. Some feel that the money is fair because stay-at-home mums can't earn it themselves to fund their own luxuries. However, some are disgusted, even likening it to prostitution.
(SAHM = stay-at-home mum)
So what do you think? Do you receive a wife bonus or would you ever accept one? Or does the idea make you feel uneasy? Let us know on Facebook or tweet us @GHmagazine.
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