Is the term "trophy wife" a negative term?

I'd have to agree with your wife on this one. It's generally used in a negative light, since the middle-aged scumbag husband has usually left his first wife who may have supported him throughout his education and the beginning of his career, only to be cast aside for a "dumb bimbo gold-digger" wife who gets to reap the benefits of the first wife's efforts. (and using dumb and bimbo in the same description is kinda redundant, eh?) So I'm sure you mean to compliment your wife's youth and beauty by calling her a trophy wife, but if she doesn't want to play along with joke, drop it!

I agree with what the other respondents have said about the negative connotations of "trophy wife". It's up there with "arm candy" - there for decoration only with no expectation of ability or intelligence. I'd like to add there is an insinuation of disposability to the term as well, as in the moment her looks don't measure up, she'll be disposed of in favor of the next trophy.

I think you're right to dispose of using the term. There are other ways of telling people you think she's the best and most beautiful woman around!

It is definitely a negative term. It means you are married to her only for her looks and to impress other people and not because you are in love with her. It is more a negative term for you than for your wife though as it means that you are shallow and don't have any real feelings for her where as she might still be the greatest woman in the world who is madly in love with you but you on the other hand only consider her to be a "trophy wife".

The general definition is: A wife, usually young and attractive, regarded as a status symbol for the husband, usually older and affluent "“Powerful men are beginning to demand trophy wives. ... The more money men make, the argument goes, the more self-assured they become, and the easier it is for them to think: I deserve a queen. ”.

Well,First of all if your wife thinks it is degrading then do not refer to her that way. Now from another womans prespective,I do not feel it is an insult at all. I feel that it is a form of compliment.

You may feel that she is truly your trophy because of her beauty. I think it is great that you love her enough to feel that way about her. The negative side would be if she was young,beautiful and very wealthy and you then called her your trophy wife.It would seem very negative due to the fact you got her and she is loaded.

This does not seem like such a serious matter. You are joking around, she married you knowing your sense of humor. I think she should be able to take the joke, obviously your intention is complimentary.

She's young and attractive so yeah she is your trophy, in the regard that she is something you are very proud of just like getting a trophy in sports, only this one is your biggest most beautiful accomplishment of all. Humor is important in a lasting relationship. Just be prepared for her to start calling you her "meal ticket" or her "sugar daddy" or I've even heard the term silver fox (only if you have some grey hair though).

It is a complement, just like telling a woman she looks younger than she is. Your wife is more or less correct about the original meaning; but, like most words, it can be a complement or an insult depending upon the context. Even the original meaning isn't really much of an insult, it means more young and beautiful than the man would normally rate, if he were not successful in his business.

I agree with your wife here, that is the most common meaning. However, I was called that by my ex-husband's drunken friends. I was the type of wife who did not drink like a fish and they thought that I thought I was better then them, so they often joked with my ex that I was a trophy wife..

Knowing how sweet you are Stephen... I can't see her getting too mad about this. There is the negative sexist side to this terminology, but I understand your side also. Maybe you could call yourself a male cougar...?

It won't be in a guy conversation. Can't say too much when you have a woman in the conversation.

A "trophy wife" is just what the term implies, a wife that you "won" over with either good looks, charm, a really cool car, or lots of money. And, like a trophy, men love to take their trophy wives out to social events to "show her off" like a walking, talking trophy that hangs on your arm like an ornament, or like a really expensive Rolex . As long as it is a joke, it's no big deal, but the true meaning of a trophy wife objectifies a woman, as if she is your property.

Unfortunately, the true trophy wives out there don't mind it because in exchange for being made out to be a meaningless object, they get all the gifts and riches the guy can muster. So, it's more like a business deal than a marriage.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.