Never Build With a Woman

The speaker identifies the only advantage of 'building with a woman' from scratch: her genuine intentions. When a man is broke, he can be sure that a woman is with him for who he is, not for his wealth or status. This contrasts with successful men who often wonder if their partners would remain if they lost their success. This principle also applies to friendships, where true bonds are formed during difficult times, as seen in examples like Gucci Mane's girlfriend staying with him through prison, or the loyalty among individuals who started from humble beginnings.

A significant con is that once a man becomes successful, he may lose attraction to the woman he built with. The speaker explains that a man's sexual market value increases with his resources. While broke, he might not have attracted 'nines and tens', but once he gains wealth, he starts noticing higher-tier women who were previously out of reach. This often leads to the man wanting to 'upgrade' his partner, even if it means divorce and splitting assets, as for him, peace of mind outweighs the financial cost of a relationship that no longer satisfies him.

Another con is that the woman's friends and family may not approve of the man's ambition, prioritizing stability over his potential. They often perceive an ambitious, but currently less financially stable, man as someone who is a 'bum' or living off the woman, even if he contributes. They desire a man who can provide immediate stability for their loved one, rather than someone with long-term aspirations. This can create an uncomfortable family dynamic and lead to constant judgment.

A potential downside is that the woman might constantly remind the man of her support when he had nothing. This can become a tool for her to gain leverage in disagreements, using past sacrifices as a way to control or guilt him. The speaker shares a personal anecdote of a friend who repeatedly brought up a small loan, illustrating how such past favors can be held over someone's head.

The final and most significant con is hypergamy. Hypergamy, redefined by the speaker not just as 'monkey branching' for financial gain but as a woman's tendency to act in her best interest, can manifest in two ways: finding a man with more money or finding a man who engages her emotions better. When a man is initially poor, he is susceptible to both forms of hypergamy. Even if a woman is with him from the 'mud,' she might leave him for someone more financially secure or someone who provides a stronger emotional connection. The heartbreak associated with hypergamy is the real issue. While successful men have a lower risk of financial hypergamy, they are still vulnerable to emotional hypergamy, meaning no one is truly immune to being left for a 'better option'.