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*update*
With the unemployment rate hovering at 11.1% in June and some cities reverting back to Phase 1 status after hasty reopenings in the wake of Covid-19, it’s very plausible that you’re involved with someone who has lost their job within the past four months. Depending on your status, being unemployed can affect you in different ways. Those who are single may struggle more without a support system while married individuals potentially have another source of income to lean on if their spouse is employed. But there’s a tricky middle ground many Americans are navigating right now which is the together, but not married relationship stage where you may not quite know how — or even if you should — be there for your partner who’s out of work. That’s why we’re revisiting this throwback slideshow to help you navigate this difficult time.
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If you’re in a relationship with a woman who has just lost her job, or who has perhaps been unemployed and on the job hunt for months, you want to do everything you can to help her feel encouraged. Being romantically involved with somebody who is unemployed is complex. You know your partner’s job status affects her on many levels. It’s emotional because your partner might question her skill level or competence at this time. It’s practical since she has bills to pay and doesn’t want to become a burden to you. And it’s potentially gender complicated if she’s feeling like she’s fallen into a “gender norm” by letting her partner pay for her life. As her partner, you’ll struggle to say anything that doesn’t strike at least one of these nerves. But no matter what you do, don’t say these things to your unemployed girlfriend.
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Don’t say, “I can support you.”
She doesn’t want to feel like you are holding her up, taking care of her, or supporting her. You say this because you just want her to know there is a backup plan. But she feels like she’s letting herself down, and feminists everywhere, by accepting her man’s proposal to support her.
