Not too long ago, I actually thought slacker dudes had gone the way of the ̢۪90s. But now that the nation is deep in the throes of a hardcore recession, Jay, Silent Bob and Ethan Hawke are back.

I can̢۪t tell you how many complaints I̢۪ve been getting from friends and acquaintances over the last few months about guys who not only don̢۪t pay for anything, but don̢۪t seem to give a shit either.

And I̢۪m not talking about the dudes who got laid off and just can̢۪t find work no matter how aggressively they search.

I̢۪m referring to the Romeos who live off their ladies, spending each and every day snoozing till noon, playing video games and pondering the meaning of life, while their old ladies juggle work, school, domestic duties and perhaps even child care.

But before I get caught up in a rant that goes nowhere, let me say that I̢۪m also aware that nothing is ever just black or white, all or nothing.

There are infinite shades of gray, and I do believe that these guys are not the only ones at fault.

While I do hope these dudes appreciate all that their girls do for them, it is also important for me to keep in mind that it̢۪s the choice of these chicks to put up with this.

I admit, if I were a guy, I̢۪d consider it a pretty sweet deal.

“But why buy the cow, when you can milk it for free?â€Â my mom never fails to ask. And why buy the cow and pay for its upkeep, when it’ll pay for yours instead?

In that regard, I don̢۪t know if feminism actually did any of us females any good. Sure, we got more of a variety of professional and academic choices to choose from, but when it comes to dating and mating, it seems like all bets are off.

Females born and raised in the ’80s grew up surrounded by conflicting messages that persist to this day. Visions of breadwinning “Prince Charmingsâ€Â compete side by side with images of Superwomen who can do it all.

The majority of my friends and acquaintances who are finding themselves in this Superwoman situation are really confused, and I can̢۪t say that I blame them.

Gone are the days of “Leave It to Beaver,â€Â when gender roles and their respective responsibilities were clearly defined; since feminism ushered sexual equality through the front door, nothing has ever been the same.

And it̢۪s been a mixed blessing, because these friends of mine have inadvertently taken on both roles, that of homemaker and breadwinner.

I forget which “Sex and the Cityâ€Â character it was who said, “We’re becoming the men we wanted to marry,â€Â but that just about sums it up.

But this goes beyond lazy guys and their lenient girlfriends.

If anything, it has made me realize that gender roles aside, it can̢۪t hurt women to learn and know how to take care of themselves, let alone somebody else.

Nevertheless, I would hope that if a girl finds herself both bringing home the bacon and frying it up for dinner, that she̢۪s doing it because she wants to, not because she feels incomplete without someone who may or may not be in it for the long haul.