The New Hunter Gatherers [2004]

Modern relationships still contain elements of ancient hunter gatherer gender divisions.

Man the hunter is still more likely to work longer hours outside the home, while women the gatherers somehow still find it easier to do the shopping themselves than to delegate it to a man.

But these are sophisticated hunter-gatherers.

Women's work now involves everything from interacting with educators and health workers to financial control and event management. Almost all women (87%) believe that "in most relationships women do the organising and planning". But only 59% of men agree.

The conclusion is obvious: around one quarter of the male population is in denial.

However, while men typically lack the ability to multitask, they retain a strong strategic sense and approach tasks with characteristic goal orientation. They may hate to talk about problems but they love to fix them.

Younger men are often very candid about the superior organisational ability of their female counterparts. "When I need a plan, I'll find a girl with a plan" said one.

Saying a woman was a good manager used to mean she was frugal with her husband's pay packet. Now it not only describes her career, it points to an important element of her attractiveness as a long-term partner: can she help the guy to get his act together and make the most of himself?

Compared to their parents, the new generation have a long hiatus between achieving independence and becoming a parent. Many teens receive explicit direction from their parents not to settle down too soon. So they don't.

James Twitchell has stated: "one generation's luxury is the next generation's necessity". The corrollary seems to be that one generation's regrets form the basis of the next generation's expectations.

"the corollary seems to be that one generation's regrets form the basis of the next generation's expectations"