Media personality and entrepreneur Dr. Desmond Kofi Annan FCGBA has called for a reconsideration of the traditional breadwinner role, arguing that the long-held expectation for men to carry the financial burden of a household places unnecessary pressure on them.
Speaking on the Brotherhood show, Dr. Annan said that providing for a household should be a shared responsibility between both adults in a marriage.
“The conversation has to be situated properly,” he noted, highlighting that women today are more educated and active in the workforce compared to “the olden days.”
Dr. Annan defined a breadwinner as “somebody who earns an income and takes care of a household,” but emphasized that this responsibility should not fall on one person alone.
He pointed out that societal norms have changed significantly over time, observing that “in those days, women were confined” to limited roles. He cautioned that holding on to outdated expectations can create tension in relationships, noting that “some people even leave home because of these pressures.”
His key message is clear: financial responsibility in marriage should be collective.
“This whole conversation about breadwinners should be about the shared responsibility of two adults who have committed to a matrimonial home—it’s not as simple as leaving it to one person,” he explained.
Dr. Annan stressed that it is time to rethink the traditional breadwinner concept and embrace a more collaborative approach to providing for households.