Where Are the Lines of Equality Drawn if NOT Down the Middle?

Should men ask for spousal support and/or child support from their ex-mates/ wives? Would you view these men as weak if they seek these type of support?

If a relationship between husband and wife dissolves and the wife is given custody of the child(ren) by the court AND is awarded alimony as well as child support because of the husband's financial status, if the tables are turned why should the husband NOT be awarded the same? Why would that be considered weak?

You see this is why there will not likely be true equality between the genders any time soon. (Generally speaking), women want to be treated equally as long as it doesn't cost them anything. I once dated a woman who was (and still is) a bank manager. Clearly she was making WELL OVER twice what I was making then as a Loss Prevention Agent; however, she saw fit to tell me that she was "old fashioned" and that whenever we went out she expected me to pay for everything ... EVERY TIME. We stayed friends, but we never went out again. But what if we went further and things went south & I kept the child(ren)?

If children are involved, whoever has custody should be supported. That money is supposed to go for THEIR food, clothing, medical care, and education. If a husband makes less money than his wife, or he stayed home so she could pursue her educational and or professional goals and their relationship dissolves, why shouldn't he be entitled to alimony - why shouldn't he be entitled to "live in the same lifestyle he became accustomed to?" If that's the criteria for women to get paid, then why - in a country where equality is supposed to reign supreme - should a man not be entitled to receive the same support?

I always tell young brothers run like hell if they ever come across a woman who claimes to be "an independent woman" when it comes to making and spending her money, but "old fashioned" when it comes to spending THEIR money.

I wish I could say that women can't have it both ways, but the reality is they actually do. Again, how is it weak if the only difference in a situation is the gender? If a man is expected to be capable to work and make enough so as NOT to need alimony or child support JUST because he's a man, but a woman automatically deemed to be in need JUST because she's a woman, that's nothing more than a court-awarded hook-up.