[steven]

I think it's interesting to note that there are stay at home dads in Japan.

MMM, you seem to have a very nice and clean perspective about mothers... maybe it's my having grown up in/around LA, but I've known many "mothers" who have kids to get money from the government. Or mothers who accidentally have kids and use them for that. I've also known drug addicted mothers who couldn't give an S about their kids.

If we're talking about more or less normal people, though, I think most mothers do care very much for their children. Men do too... and I think men have been known to show their love by working their asses off for their family. Who's to say women can't do that, too? They're certainly capable in my opinion. There are also certainly men who are capable of raising their kids the way mothers traditionally have. There are, however, a few physiological things about this like breastfeeding and what-not. Once you get past those first few years though, what difference does it make, really? As a kid I was always jealous of other kids with stay at home parents. I don't think it would have made much of a difference if my mom or my dad stayed home to play with me all day, I would've been pretty happy.

"A man should ALWAYS pay. This is "Game 101." "
I think you took the women's version of "Game 101". You can split the bill and still get what you want. I think there are many women who know how to play that "game". With them, you might be better off throwing down your cash and skipping the meal part, though-- if that's what you're into.

And if you're a guy and you can't even afford to pay for your girl, then you shouldn't even think about a relationship with her yet. A small dinner is one of the lowest things on the expenses scale you'll need to be ready to afford.
Get ready to buy her that giant rock, a new car, nails every week, the divorce, and all the money she needs and then some to raise her kids, while you're at it. I don't mean to be rude, but I think that this style of thinknig can lead to such a catastrophe. Not all women are nice people (just like men)... some of them will use you.