Lebanese women’s professional success shakes male domination

In a special feature published yesterday, Al Hayat daily newspaper underscored the numerous accomplishments by Lebanese women in the various professions to the point where they have become a role model in the Arab countries, while highlighting the heightened tensions within the households resulting from women’s success. Quoting an internal source from the Personal Status Court, the newspaper pointed out to the growing cases of divorce associated with the outstanding professional achievements of women particularly when surpassing that of their husbands. The source went on to say that some of the infidelity cases can clearly be traced to the above situation especially when the husband starts feeling inferior to his partner. For more insight on the subject, Al Hayat interviewed a number of people concerned. Fadi for example, stated that his wife’s behavior towards him changed after her promotion to the position of director of a branch of a well-known bank as she started to earn twice his salary. He added that: “eventually I could not put up with the new situation and decided to leave home and file for divorce,” while at the same time acknowledging his narrow-mindedness. “As her financial contribution to household expenditures increased, as well as her extra household commitments,” he went on to say, “I found myself more and more unable to cope with the situation.” In conclusion, Al Hayat recommended that couples in similar situation should seek psychological assistance quoting therapist Nadia Samaha who said that a stable marital relationship depends on being able to deal with the success of married women. (Al Hayat, February 11, 2016)