I recently read an opinion article about how a young woman expected her boyfriend to pay for everything for her, and how he has no right to any of her money. Sounds pretty ridiculous right? Unfortunately, this ideology is beginning to take over the young adult dating world.

I often hear girls complaining about a lack of gifts, a lack of expensive dates, or simply a lack of spending on their boyfriend's part. Now, don't get me wrong; it is probably a bad sign if he never has a desire to spend any money on you. However, expecting him to provide you with a lavish lifestyle is not particularly appropriate, nor the point of being in a relationship in the first place.

If you expect your man to pay for an expensive date, then maybe it's your turn to pay for the next one.

If you vent to him for hours about how badly you did on a test or roommate problems, encourage him to spend time with his buddies or play video games the next night. If he has a bad day, put together a little basket of his favorite goodies and take it to his house. If he needs a ride somewhere, be willing to give him one as he's likely driven you to foreign places like Sephora. I think the point is becoming pretty clear.

Treat him as good (if not better) than you expect him to treat you.

Personally, I have always been a straightforward, goal-oriented person who dates to marry. I am fully aware that marriage is not 50 years of being spoiled and showered with gifts. So, why would I (or anyone else for that matter) expect the dating period to be like that?

Truthfully, I believe this is why so many marriages are failing these days.

Women feel entitled to gifts and romance during the dating period, only to find out that marriage isn't the same way. Marriage is messy, difficult, and particularly hard for the first few years. It's full of give and take and it is certainly not about being wined and dined. As time goes on, women begin to think their husband "changed," or he just "doesn't love them anymore." Well, if you're expecting him to show his love with money, you're setting yourself up for failure in the first place.

Relationships are ideally mutually dependent and mutually beneficial.

Time, money, gifts, and other things should never just be flowing one way. It is a constant interchange of both abstract concepts and concrete objects, all with the goal of showing you care for one another. So, there's nothing wrong with wanting to be treated like a queen. You just better make sure you treat your man like a king.