WASHINGTON, DC (AP) – The continuing decline in value of the American Brownie Point (ABP) has lots of people talking. The widespread impact has hit the American male demographic especially hard, from the lower class all the way to the elite upper class. Where their tax brackets would normally separate them, these men are now finding themselves as equals when it comes to their hard-earned Brownie Points, and most are scrambling to keep their heads above water.
“We have no one to blame but ourselves,” says Albert Freehold, president of a private consulting firm in New York. “We should have pushed for standardization of ABP currency long ago. It’s unfortunate that it has taken a crisis like this for the majority of American men to realize that.” Indeed, ever since the American Brownie Point was first introduced in 1959, there has not been much, if any at all, mutually agreed upon standards in regards to their accrual rate and redemption value.
For those unaware, Brownie Points usually are given to men in relationships who perform random or otherwise unprompted acts of generosity or kindness for the exclusive benefit of the other party in the relationship. These points would be given to the male from the receiving party, and qualifying relationships types range from those who are dating to those who are married.
Many would agree that the biggest flaw in the process is that there is no verbal exchange of how many points were given for any given event. Instead, it’s simply understood that points will be given after the act, and that the number of points differ in proportion to the generosity of the act. For example, the amount of Brownie Points given for flowers bought for no special occasion would be understandably less than the amount given when an expensive piece of jewelry is just as spontaneously gifted. One obvious flaw in this system is that the interpretation of the level of generosity of the event is subjective to the recipient. Flowers may be worth a small amount to some, but to others it would be a significant gesture.
Other factors besides the value standardization issues have attributed to the loss of point value, most notably that the receiving party in the relationship can decide to either void any accumulated points at their discretion (usually following an incident caused by lack of foresight or consideration on the male party’s behalf), or that they no longer consider Brownie Points to be a factor within the relationship. In most cases, however, the Brownie Point loses value in direct correlation to the length of the union. Male parties in long-term relationships are the ones hardest hit by the recent decline in value, as they are finding that their hard-earned points are worth less than those of their comrades who have been in a relationship for less time, even if they were earned for the same type of event.
“At first it seemed like the smallest thing I did earned me points,” claims Stan Larson, 27. “But after a few years with my girlfriend, she became to expect these things from me, and I no longer earned points for doing them.” Larson isn’t alone in that regard, either. Many men feel they are being shorted on point accumulation because their kind gestures have become accepted as a standard in the relationship.
There is often curiosity as to what these men use their points for. The currency can be used for a variety of things, like buying forgiveness when an important date is forgotten, or when the trash wasn’t taken out to the street when promised, or when poor decisions are made by the male and grievances must otherwise be paid. Still others cash them in for more intimate purposes. The fact that they can be used for resolving relationship or marital issues is a major reason why so many men are feeling the impact of their decline in value. They are being forced to come up with other ways to resolve them when their points run out.
The receiving end is not without comment. "Partners in a relationship should want to do nice things for the other person out of genuine desire," says Jennifer Peterson, 31, "not with the thought that there is an incentive for good behavior." In her own history of relationships, however, Jennifer admits to using Brownie Points at one point or another.
Peterson does bring up a valid point. There is much that could be said about both parties in a relationship needing to do nice things for each other every so often, without incentive, as a way of showing (in another manner, at least) that they still care. Spontaneity is often a welcome spice when mixed into the often mundane flavors of life.
“Brownie Points are an American tradition that is worth saving,” adds Freehold, “but it will take considerable effort from both sides of the coin. It's the science of reciprocation."
Are Brownie Points on their way out? Let's hope not.
A. Nonymous, reporting.
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Have a good weekend, everyone.
