If They Talk About “Trophy Wives,” why not “Trophy Husbands”?

The article about Asian ”trophy wives” in the latest edition of Marie Claire got me thinking about “trophy wives” in general (regardless of ethnicity).  Why don’t publications, especially magazines and websites aimed at women, talk about “trophy husbands”?  When there is discussion about women who are with younger men, it’s the cougar (Yes, women who are in relationships with much younger men are called “cougars,” but beyond “cub,” there are no other terms for these men) .  There’s even going to be a show about that starting this fall (with Courtney Cox in the lead).  One of the most well-known younger husbands of all is Ashton Kutcher. There is a good 16 year difference between the two.  It’s to the point that Demi’s oldest child, Rumer, is just 10 years younger than her stepfather! The only talk the public read and heard about when their relationship started was about the age difference.  I also believe that this was when the term “cougar” officially entered the lexicon. In any case, when they married, publications just said that they got married.  I don’t recall seeing headlines which said “Demi Marries Trophy Husband.” 

Of course, the number of powerful, high-earning men out number that of women, but that doesn’t mean that that the powerful, high earning women don’t have the similar wants.  We would be overly simplistic if we go around thinking that these women only care about Manolos and Louis Vuitton. In any case, who is to say that even the non-powerful people (i.e. the “trophy spouses”) aren’t seeing their spouses as “accessories”? Or maybe they just love vintage.  In fact, when it comes to fashion, vintage is actually considered cool. 

What I am trying to say is that publications, even those for women, seem to condemn women for marrying older men, but generally ignore the fact that it happens the other way around.  Even when they DO talk about women who’re with younger men, it’s almost never about the guys being “accessories.”  Contrast that with the various articles about women who date or marry older men. There are also those pieces about women who marry older men because it elevates them. Won’t it be the same with men?  Sure, Ashton Kutcher hasn’t really had good roles recently, but would he even be in the entertainment industry, beyond That 70′s Show had he not married Demi?  Probably not.