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Men still more likely to pay for dates but expect women to contribute, survey reveals

It's the year 2013 and the vast majority of men are still paying for dating expenses, reveals a new U.S. study of more than 17,000 men and women.

The study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Sociological Association in New York on Sunday, suggests this behaviour is peculiar in light of recent feminist advances over the last 50 years.

"The motivation for the study was to understand why some gendered practices are more resistant to change than others," says study co-author and psychology professor David Frederick from Chapman University in California. "For example, the acceptance of women in the workplace versus holding onto traditional notions of chivalry,"

According to the research, 84 per cent of men and 58 per cent of women report that men pay for most expenses, even after dating for a while.

Also see: New York City's Matchmaker Café serves up hot coffee...and dates?

However, nearly two-thirds of men said they believed women should contribute to dating expenses, and 44 per cent said they would stop dating a woman who never pays. A large majority of men (76 per cent), reported feeling guilty accepting women's money.

The researchers claim these behaviours and attitudes were consistent across daters of all different ages, income, or education.

The survey also found that 39 per cent of women wished men would reject their offers to pay and 44 per cent said they were bothered when men expected them to pay.

Janet Lever, study co-author and sociology professor at California State University, Los Angeles, tells the Toronto Star that women shouldn't expect a free ride. The price of chivalry might include traditional gender roles, a controlling partner or even sex.

Also see: The secret to this couple's 73-year marriage? Daily pancakes

“Social values are hard to change, and you are seeing a bundle of contradictions,” she says.

Despite the advances women have made when it comes to equality, many still expect men to pay for dating expenses.

Currently in Canada, an increasing number of women are becoming the main breadwinners in their households. Data shows that from 1976 to 2010 the number of female breadwinners has almost quadrupled, from 8 per cent to 31 per cent.

What are your thoughts on the dating ritual of men paying for expenses? Should couples split expenses 50/50? Or should expenses be paid proportionally to each person's income? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.