[HitmanLV]

The two partners in the dealership are very successful self-made men, and in their speeches, both mentioned their wives in humorous slightly self-deprecating anecdotes, in which the helpful wisdom of their wives was implied. I have a hard time imagining a female executive mentioning her husband in the same way in such a speech.

This is VERY true and very insightful. There is a systemic bias that downplays the significance of men in the lives of sucessful women. No wonder men lose interest.

[longtermmemmory]

That is very true. It made me remember the following:

I have been to "robing ceremonies" of judges. (for those in rio linda, that is where judges take their oaths) The male judges almost universally thank their wives. The only time I have ever seen a woman thank a husband was when she made special not to thank her EXhusband for showing up with their children. (she was not remarried)