Women 'dating down' as incomes beat males'

American women hiding real incomes as earnings soar above men

SUCCESSFUL YOUNG WOMEN are resorting to hiding their real incomes from potential suitors as their higher incomes are intimidating men.

A new study reveals that, for the first time, American women in their twenties are out-earning their male counterparts in at least five states, including New York, Boston and Chicago. In Dallas, young women earn on average 20% more than men.

The study, by Professor Andrew Beveridge of Queens College in New York, concluded that women's increasing affluence was largely the result of growing numbers of university graduates; 50% of women in full-time work have college degrees compared to 38% of men.

The figures change dramatically when women enter their thirties – starting families puts them behind in the promotions race – but the findings have touched a raw nerve among men who can't cope with the so-called emasculating effects of being out-performed by fast-rising female doctors, lawyers and architects.

The issue has sparked a huge debate over the internet about whether women should pander to male egos by 'dating down'. After all, Newsweek magazine once famously calculated that an American woman has a better chance of being killed by a terrorist than getting married after 40.

One contributor to a 'dating down' discussion noted that 'most of my single women lawyer friends identify themselves as an air stewardess if they are trying to meet men, even in a fun setting like a bar'.

Lori Weiss, a 29-year-old Manhattan lawyer, told the New York Times that she had hidden designer bag price tags so partners wouln't feel threatened by her spending power. 'A lot of guys don't want to admit they have a problem with it,' she says, 'but I think it's ingrained.'

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Valentini, editor of popular feminist website Feministing.com, said: 'Is masculinity so damn fragile that it can't handle being treated to dinner? It seems there is no worse dating gaffe than having the nerve to make more money than your significant other – if you're a woman that is.'