It seems that for most of Nora's life she's been under the thumb of a man. Another noticeable difference that bounces off equality is Nora’s inability to work or do as she pleased. In a typical relationship now, it is expected that both the male and female work to provide for their family, as today’s society has adapted so the males do not feel a constant pressure to provide as the responsibility is shared. In the present, research shows that more and more men are becoming stay-at home husbands, working from home and raising their children at the same time. A man that stayed at home whilst the woman worked was unheard of during the time of Nora’s and Torvald’s relationship. Instead, during the time of Nora and Torvald’s relationship, it was expected that the female took care of all the housekeeping, whilst the male worked to support the family. Unlike a typical relationship in the present day, Nora had to go behind her husband’s back to work. In the novel, she mentions how she found work to do that occupied her late until night, even when tired she would work as it gave her pleasure to sit there working and earning money