Throughout American history, it’s been pretty safe to assume that within a married heterosexual couple, the husband would be better educated. This was, of course, based on numerous societal factors that discouraged or blocked women’s access to higher education.
But now, for the first time, married women are better educated than their husbands.
A study released by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) found that a record 25.3% of husbands are now married to wives who have more education than they do. In comparison, women marry men with higher education levels 24.5% of the time. This reversal comes after a shift that started around 1990 when the number of men who were better educated than their wives began to drop.
A major reason for this change in married households is the trend toward more women enrolling in college, and an increasing number of men are opting out. This fall, 56% of all college students in America were women. According to a report in GOOD, there is a gap in college-interest levels beginning in high school. “Fifty-nine percent of female high school freshman say they expect to complete a bachelor’s or graduate degree, but only 53% of males say the same,” the report says. One reason? Many men believe college isn’t the only road to success and decide to pursue a trade or head directly into the workforce after high school.
While married women are now better educated than their husbands, the wage gap in most married households is still significant. According to the IFS, 73% of married men have higher incomes than their spouses, down from 91% in 1960. There are numerous reasons for the difference in earnings that range from workplace discrimination to the pressure that many families place on women to be caregivers, which hinders their career options.
So, while women are making gains on the education front, we hope to see more progress — and quickly.
Parents of young children get more time with them if they work from home.Photo credit: Canva
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We could start a rumor.
Grieving couple comforting each other
This response to someone grieving a friend might be the best internet comment ever
When someone is hit with the sudden loss of a friend or loved one, words rarely feel like enough. Yet, more than a decade ago, a wise Redditor named GSnow shared thoughts so profound they still bring comfort to grieving hearts today.
Originally posted around 2011, the now-famous reply was rediscovered when Upvoted, an official Reddit publication, featured it again to remind everyone of its enduring truth. It began as a simple plea for help: “My friend just died. I don't know what to do.”
What followed was a piece of writing that many consider one of the internet’s best comments of all time. It remains shared across social media, grief forums, and personal messages to this day because its honesty and metaphor speak to the raw reality of loss and the slow, irregular path toward healing.
Below is GSnow’s full reply, unchanged, in all its gentle, wave-crashing beauty:
Why this advice still matters
Mental health professionals and grief counselors often describe bereavement in stages or phases, but GSnow’s “wave theory” gives an image more relatable for many. Rather than a linear process, grief surges and retreats—sometimes triggered by a song, a place, or a simple morning cup of coffee.
In recent years, this metaphor has found renewed relevance. Communities on Reddit, TikTok, and grief support groups frequently reshare it to help explain the unpredictable nature of mourning.
Many readers say this analogy helps them feel less alone, giving them permission to ride each wave of grief rather than fight it.
Finding comfort in shared wisdom
Since this comment first surfaced, countless people have posted their own stories underneath it, thanking GSnow and passing the words to others facing fresh heartbreak. It’s proof that sometimes, the internet can feel like a global support group—strangers linked by shared loss and hope.
For those searching for more support today, organizations like The Dougy Center, GriefShare, and local bereavement groups offer compassionate resources. If you or someone you know is struggling with intense grief, please reach out to mental health professionals who can help navigate these deep waters.
When grief comes crashing like the ocean, remember these words—and hang on. There is life between the waves.
This article originally appeared four years ago.