Why is it OK for boys to want the white picket fence?

Over the past weekend I found myself enjoying a cocktail or several with some of my favorite singletons, which led to a refreshing yet shocking revelation. It’s no secret us gals tend to vocalize our readiness to settle down and procreate, perhaps more willingly than our masculine counterparts. However, I was pleasantly surprised - and perhaps shocked - to hear a similar sentiment coming from one of my single, male friends. Could this be? Are boys secretly interested in family and fidelity, or is it all a facade? Let’s investigate, shall we possums?...

I have come across, only but a hand full of men who have proudly professed their longing for matrimony and a baby mama. And when they do, the reaction (particularly from the female contingent) is quite positive for the most part. ‘He’s so open and honest and knows what he wants – how refreshing!” many a gal pal has noted. True true. However, if us gals dare to make similar statements we are immediately looked down upon as needy and codependent. The grasshopper who sang all summer. The cougar who couldn’t land a mate. Double standard you say? You bet your bottom dollar Daddy Warbucks.

Consequently, what happens next only makes matters worse as the communicational gap between men and women widens. Us gals begin to get our backs up as we feel the need to demonstrate just how independent we are, thus pretending like we don’t need boys…we just choose to have them around for shits and giggles. I’ll be the first to admit this is simply note true, but the stereotype can certainly back us into a corner. Ah!

When is it OK for gals to admit what they want in a relationship? At what point do we show our male opponents our cards? I’d say it rarely crosses my mind…but I’d be bluffing.