These days many men are of the opinion that most women prefer men with large pockets when it comes to relationships or marriage ,and also label them gold diggers. While women disagree that all of them put money first in a relationship ,they agree that a man's financial status is often part of their list on choosing a partner and the degree of importance attached to it varies from woman to woman.

While some women are ready to settle for an average man or one with nothing at all if he has other attributes they like such as the man's love for them, character, education, fear of God, good looks among others, there are women who consider all other attributes immaterial so long as he has money.

Felix Omode, a single working class guy said women don't seem to understand that poor men are sometimes better than rich men. "Women place emphasis on the monetary side of a relationship. They care more about what a man makes in matters of money and goods more than what is in his heart. But when the money finishes, they disappear. That is why these days you will see a guy who has no job, or who just started working or is working but doesn't earn high income easily turned down by women, but the same women will run after or go wooing wealthy men who don't even want them," he explained

Cha-Ching! On answers.yahoo.com said "Yes, it is true that there are many, many women out there that can be classified as "gold diggers" whose primary objective is to strictly date financially profound men in order to acquire as much of his capital as possible. These are the women that make the rest of us look bad. They're money-motivated, usually highly attractive and or manipulative with no concept of independence or loyalty whatsoever. They prey on wealthy men because they depend on them for their own survival and use their looks or charm to gain a free ride through life at the man's expense, quickly disposing of and replacing him if the cash or jewellery flows short. They know their game, have mastered it and will fight dirty if necessary. This is not the kind of woman you want to plan a future with or bring home to Mom."

The Home front went out to ask women if the prefer rich men and why.

Miss Eneayi Adama a single lady said it is not true that women only want rich men. She said, "generally women love comfort and it is not exactly true that all of them are gold diggers , most will settle for a man who can simply provide their basic needs but if he has all the other attributes added with financial status it is seen as a blessing. If you have two suitors who both love you and have qualities you like, you will go for the richer one because it is an added bonus. It is only bad if you go for a man just because of his money and nothing else."

Alima Umoru said she prefers to marry a rich man instead of a poor one who can only offer love "There is nothing wrong with women preferring richer men. They want a man who they know will be able to put a roof over their head and food on the table. It is natural. If a poor guy loves me so much, and a rich man loves me averagely, I will go for the rich man because his money will make me love him more. If I go with the poor guy, stay hungry and can't wear clothes like my mates, before you know it , the love will begin to disappear. But that rich guy whom I might not love from the beginning , I will grow to love because I will have happiness and fame and comfort . so also my children."

Bola Adesina said: "Majority of us (women) like rich men, but we want a man that is rich in sincerity, humour and care instead of money. Yes nobody will want to live in a ghetto with no food to eat or cloth to wear or to live with a man who lives in his parent's house and depends on them for upkeep or sleeps at home all day. like someone said the other day, even when the guy has no cash he should have ambition, drive or motivation to succeed. Real women marry wealth in character and not money, if ladies prefer only rich men all the poor men around wouldn't have had partners or wives."

Mary Anne Nosike , a student agreed with Bola "Some women want to have security, that doesn't mean men have to be rich but they need to know that their husbands have the earning potential to support the family .Gold diggers are different and the are in the minority"

Asmau Inuwa, a young civil servant, said she will prefer to marry a rich man "If you marry a poor man believing in love you will be cheating yourself because one day when he gets rich he will marry a gold digger. It is then you will know how dirty you had been or what a bad cook you are."

Unekwu Ahmedu said while she does not lay emphasis on marrying a rich man, she can settle for a man who can provide her basic needs but certainly not one who is so poor that she will be feeding, clothing or sheltering. In her words "I know a lady who buys even the clothes her fiancée wears and sponsored him through high institution because she was working and the man had nothing. When he graduated and got a job , he ditched the lady and married another one. All the years the first lady spent waiting for him and even borrowing money to give him went down the drain. So how do you know that this poor man indeed really loves you to go for him instead of a richer man?"

Idayat Amosun said she pities women who prefer rich men. "You wont have rest of mind. Rich men are hardly good husbands except if you had suffered with them from the beginning before they got rich. My cousin's rich husband always makes it a point of duty to remind her who bought everything in the house . A man that is made will treat you anyhow. I will advise ladies to go for men with whom they can build their home together."

Ifeoma Nwafor, a corp member said money makes women feel secure, and happy. "Money can't buy you happiness, but it can buy you whatever you want whenever you want, and sometimes when you buy things they do make you happy. Money makes me happy and feel secure. Even if the man is ugly ,I will marry him if he is rich. You get fame , comfort and love so why settle for less. When you want a rich man you will also have his love."

Somi Edun a journalist, said it is only lazy women who prefer rich men adding, "as for me I am working class so I don't need a man's money."

An expert on Tallcorina.com advises thus; "It's really rare when a woman is just after money. Women who want just money from men usually gave up on looking for her Prince Charming .This is why they settle just for money. But if a woman has healthy self esteem, beautiful, knows what she wants, she will want much more than just money in her man.

Men who have a lot of money, can spark initial attraction, but they have to offer much more to a woman than just money. Women want respect, love, care, looks. For example, think about if you were a woman, wouldn't it be more interesting if your man had money to take you on expensive trips and interesting exotic places, meeting new interesting people, and also paid all the bills, clothes and everything else. Or would you want to be with a guy who can't afford a car, can't afford food or vocations?

What about security and necessity of lives? Most women would be glad if a guy could just provide all the necessities and she wouldn't worry about how to feed the children or where to live. Many women have enough money already and they aren't looking for just some rich guy to get more money from. Women have a big list of qualities they want in her man.

Money isn't everything, but it's a good start. If a guy has money and prestige, then why not? Women will be excited to get to know him better. As far as long term relationships, it requires much more than just money. Whether you are rich or poor, don't make a big deal out of it. Believe that there are women who would love to be with you. Believe that there are women who can appreciate what you can offer. Keep looking, meet as many women as possible and you could find someone to be in love with. If you can't find a woman of your dreams, look back at yourself and see maybe you are too picky, maybe you don't give chance to less attractive women or maybe you aren't trying too hard in your own search.

A Man on the datinggish weblog also advises "women shouldn't think that rich men will make them happier than a poor boy would. I've seen too many wealthy couples who are as unhappy as can be, because they put too much emphasis on money and not enough on love. They want to expand their purses and their pocketbooks more than they do their minds and hearts toward one another. And as a result, relationships end and marriages are broken by divorce.

Secondly, just because a man is wealthy does not mean he is Mr. Right. He could be a multi-millionaire and still be a worthless sot. He could treat women like garbage and use them to his advantage and then toss them away like they do not exist.Take my word for it, ladies, money is not the most important thing in a relationship. What's most important is that your beloved respects you, treats you like a human being, and stays loyal to you, and you alone. That is what I call a good relationship."