“Man-keeping” has become a buzzword for a familiar dynamic in modern relationships: one partner, often a woman, ends up carrying the weight of keeping a man together—financially, emotionally, or even socially. It’s not just about cooking or cleaning anymore; it’s about managing careers, moods, and expectations in a way that can feel less like love and more like unpaid labor. In today’s world, where equality is supposed to be the norm, the persistence of man-keeping sparks questions. Is this really a partnership, or just an updated version of old gender roles dressed up for contemporary life?