Are Male 'Bachelorette' Contestants More Successful Than 'The Bachelor' Women?

By Jo Piazza Posted May 31st 2011 11:10AM

The latest iteration of 'The Bachelorette' is in full swing, and as we've watched the newest parade of men competing for Philadelphia dentist Ashley Hebert's heart (and for the opportunity to be a famous engaged couple for at least two months), we couldn't help but notice the guys chosen for 'The Bachelorette' are successful in ways the ladies who compete on 'The Bachelor' are not.

This isn't to say the plethora of assistants, secretaries, receptionists and nannies featured on 'The Bachelor' aren't hardworking, intelligent and wonderful women. It is to say that the men featured on the show seem to have "striver" jobs -- careers that make them seem very successful, upwardly mobile and, dare we say it, wealthy.

When a man competing on 'The Bachelorette' doesn't have one of these striver jobs, he apologizes. In this season's premiere, Anthony, that adorable butcher right out of 'Moonstruck,' actually apologized for having a lowly job where he cuts meat.

Similarly, cell phone salesman Michael admitted to Ashley when the two sat down one-on-one, "I'm just a salesman," all the while hanging his head in shame.

Can you imagine one of the many assistant-types on 'The Bachelor' apologizing for her job? They wouldn't. Women don't apologize for not being upwardly mobile.

Psychiatrist Dr. Jeff Gardere says ABC series are merely playing off ingrained psychological differences between men and women.

"It has been shown time and time again that men are much more comfortable in marriages that fit the stereotypical roles of men being more financially successful than their women," Dr. Gardere tells PopEater. "Men are considered sexier when they become successful. Less attractive women are not considered sexier because of their success."

Life and dating coach Tracey Steinberg also says we shouldn't blame the network for promoting the stereotype that men want their women to be less successful than they are. This is what she sees from her own clients, most of whom live in New York City.

"The level of success of the contestants on 'The Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' are consistent with what I hear from my clients. The vast majority of my uber-successful men who are seeking a wife tell me they don't really care what she does for a living," Steinberg tells us. "I also hear time and time again from the majority of women I work with -- even the ones who are just looking for fun -- that they have a strong preference for men who are affluent."

'Bachelorette' Ashley has plenty of successful beaus to weed through this season, among them financiers, doctors, lawyers, one with two masters and a PhD from Harvard. Among the men still on board Team Ashley are Ames (portfolio manager), Ben C. (lawyer), Ben F. (winemaker), Bentley (businessman, certifiable douchebag), Blake (dentist), Chris D. (sports marketing manager), Constantine (restaurant owner), Jeff (entrepreneur), West (lawyer) and Mickey (chef).

Not only has the show again skewed toward men who are "striver," but they ABC apparently chose correctly because Ashley further self-selected the pool to include the most upwardly mobile among them. Eliminated so far: Anthony the butcher, Chris M., who works in construction, Frank (college admissions director), Tim (the drunk liquor distributor), Michael (the technology salesman), construction estimator Ryan M., and hairstylist Stephen.

According to relationship expert Dr. Gilda Carle, this may not bode well for Ashley in the future.

"I advise women to know who they are and what they want before they seek a man for his potential and upward mobility. And I tell men to abandon the superficiality of looks alone, and discuss life goals with women they date. I hope the genders are listening," Gilda tells us.

Wise words. We hope ABC's producers are listening because it has been a long time since their reality series have produced a lasting couple. Maybe shaking up the gender roles a little bit would bode well for potential nuptials.

Tags: Bachelorette

Comments

(8)

Tuesday 31 May

By Sarah in Texas

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You are unsuccessful in knowing how to spell and form sentences.

By Dave

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it all makes for good trash TV. Stupid men and women making a total fool of themselves on TV trying to get a date, how lame. I guess they couldn't get a real date in real life. Talk about hard up.

By Nancy

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Can't believe the crazy mask man is still around. He sure has no sex appeal and doesn't add to the show.

By Gina

I believe it is not so much that women do not strive for successful careers, I believe it has to do more than what men are looking for in women and what women are looking for in men.
When the Bachelor is looking, he is concentrating on a beautiful twentysomething girl that is tall and pretty and can carry a conversation.
When the Bachelorette is looking, she is concentrating on a guy with a job (career) who is good looking and can carry on a conversation.
The first option is the difference.
Also, women who are ubber-successful would probably go to a matchmaker or friends to find mates and would consider shows like The Bachelorette below their standards.

By Just to add

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Just wanted to add a couple of things...some men would prefer to have a twenty something, pretty girl that can carry-on a conversation, but most importantly along with that slim body, she has to have a rockin, drop-dead gorgeous figure. And for your women, you left out a very important pre-requisite for a woman selecting a man, and that is money, most women will do and say just about anything for the love of money, they are deceitful little gold diggers and it has always been that way....

By douglasaearl

Like anyone on either of these shows is there for anything other than their own marketing. TV has gone to the dogs !

By samgallu

I love Bentley's career.

Thursday 09 June

By dephanilo

Jo Piazza had brough up a good Picture of the Shaw.Also Asly
Herbert had place an Excelent Character.The Audients,also had given a real reflection of the matter.Man or Woman,before married
are single or bachelor,the same worth to call.However,to practice
as a single Man,single Woman are different by the Nature of Human
Being.A Movi Star had answered the question:"why every Women love
you".He said:"maybe i am to much masculin".When a Woman conquer
spouse,no matter how good Ashley on Character;the Shaw by her can't represent the Nature of Male and Female.Meanwhile,Allen on her Daily shaw,i found:"she acts like a Man",before she married to a Woman.

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