In the 21st century, with more and more women are out-earning their peers, and even sometimes their partners, things are changing for men as well.

According to a recent survey of men – broken down into five sections: Lifestyle, Dating, Sexuality, Power & Money and Men in 2008 – more and more men are also breaking out of what could be considered traditional “gender roles.” Whether that means they are supporting the women in their lives, taking on more domestic roles, or becoming more monogamous, the survey debunked many of the standard stereotypes to show that the modern man is one driven by a sense of values, loyalty and family.

The Numbers Might Surprise You

* 60% of men are nostalgic for the days when a handshake in business meant something
* 77% of men look for girlfriends with “wife potential”
* 69% of men would never cheat on their partner
* 57% of men cook at home and enjoying doing it
* 56% of men said that being a good father or husband makes a man “manly”
• 61% of men feel that no commercial depictions of the male gender are accurate ones

Of course there are no doubt still men who fall outside these percentages. The survey talked to women, too, to get their take on similar subjects and found a number of interesting things: 20% of women admitted to having had more than 15 sex partners, while only 17% of the male respondents said have had more than 15 partners.

By contrast, when women decide to “settle down” with someone, they tend to be more satisfied with that person and with their sex life. Thirty-four percent of females respondents said they would not change a thing about their lovers, while only 17% of men said the same. Additionally, 23% of female respondents are completely satisfied with their sex lives, versus only 14% of males.

Honesty And Finances

The survey definitely went a ways towards helping to debunk some myths about both genders and how they perceive themselves and their relationship. If we can be this open and honest in the context of a survey, we should practice that kind of honesty in our relationships, especially where money is concerned, as finances can be a huge source of strife for couples.

Many of the percentages expressed in the above scenarios also have a monetary component to them, and it’s important to talk about that component as well, since it often creates underlying issues. Learning to talk about money can be a difficult experience for some. But the social taboos around finances tend to be falling away, too and this can be a good thing when it comes to discussing your financial future with someone. Start early on in the dating process and get to know each others’ views and priorities.