Oh, don't get me wrong, I know every relationship is different and there's no such thing as a typical relationship any more than there is a typical person.
In short, at one of the spectrum (where I am) you have a scenario where the man and the woman are, in most senses, equals. Both work, both provide. One (usually the man, at list historically speaking), may earn more and become to main bread winner, especially when you start a family. The man still treats the woman like a lady and chivalry and tradition are still very much a thing. All of this, to me, is normal and A-OK.
At the other end of the spectrum you have a scenario where the man is the sole (very successful) provider, and the woman doesn't work (but raises a family and keeps the home). Again, nothing that unusual there, albeit less common nowadays than it used to be.
The rub of this scenario is that the woman becomes accustomed to being treated like a queen, expecting gifts of jewellery and flowers frequently, and an unhealthy sense of entitlement creeps in. In any disagreement, the man will apologise regardless of fault. From my perspective, they cease to be equals. Not because he has a job and she does not, but because he seems to live in service to her.
Now, I'm not saying that that's the dynamic that currently exists, or is awaiting us in our relationship. Lord knows I don't earn enough to support both of us like that! But I do worry that the latter example that has been set for my SO is unhealthy and unrealistic. I consider myself more of a realist/pragmatist and know that a combination of our circumstances and my values will (and should) lean us towards the former scenario.
