‘Blessers’ may have ushered in new era of ‘girlfriend allowance’

Social media users have taken to Twitter to voice their opinions on the continuous debate surrounding gender roles in society.

The latest hashtag, #GirlfriendAllowance, considers the legitimacy of boyfriends giving their girlfriends an allowance, just as parents do with their children.

It is possible that this concept stems from the prevalence of ‘blessers’ or ‘sugar daddies’ in South Africa. The term ‘blesser’ is colloquially used to refer to older, wealthy men who date younger women. The younger women receive benefits, including money and expensive gifts from the ‘blessers’.

Many claim that women are expected to uphold certain lifestyle standards in society, therefore men should pay their partners an allowance. This enables them to buy clothing, go to salons and get manicures.

Some refuted the idea of a girlfriend allowance, with one user saying she would rather have a meaningful relationship than material possessions.

#BoyfriendAllowance / #GirlfriendAllowance can miss me, I wanna grow with a person.
Materials aside. pic.twitter.com/aZ8w1AkcPW

— Ray-Ray 💖 Owami (@Nthebe_Lebo) November 7, 2017

There's no need for #BoyfriendAllowance or #GirlfriendAllowance, a relationship ain't a financial scheme.

— ♛Kgoši Tumedi♛ (@TumediTrevor) November 8, 2017

Have the rand really dropped that low that we now sell love? #BoyfriendAllowance vs #GirlfriendAllowance

— FreeEswatini (@free_eswatini) November 7, 2017

Others believed women would take the allowance received from one boyfriend and give it to their ‘side dish’ or another boyfriend.

Now gils will receive their #GirlfriendAllowance 4rm their other boyfriends and give us #BoyfriendAllowance 😊😊😊 pic.twitter.com/H26ZDWZgW0

— LIFE 📀💿 (@buchiloSA) November 8, 2017

The girlfriend allowance was even likened to high-class prostitution.

https://twitter.com/DeepMarvin/status/927914195038949376

A few women admitted that while they demand a girlfriend allowance, they would never give their partner a ‘boyfriend allowance’.

Im an independent lady but I would not give #BoyfriendAllowance but I want my #GirlfriendAllowance it's non negotiable ☺

— 🏳️‍🌈ChefB🏳️‍🌈 (@LuBonang) November 7, 2017

Xhosa women are the founders of #GirlfriendAllowance and they won't allow us to have a #BoyfriendAllowance pic.twitter.com/ZdGuopGP0F

— Math Veteran (@ndinguSihle) November 8, 2017

But be warned. Apparently, there are certain requirements that a girlfriend needs to fulfill to receive her allowance. Should she not live up to her role, the blesser is under no obligation to pay any money, and is entitled to end the allowance.

But the bylaws of the #Girlfriendallowance also stipulate that the girlfriend needs to perfom certain activities for her to secure her allowance.. If not I then have every right to cancel the girlfriend allowance without notifying you or even terminate the agreement!

— Bongani Moyake 🇿🇦 (@moyakeb) November 8, 2017

//

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.