I had never thought about your point about the difference between men and women saying they are looking for a husband, but it rang very true. The man can openly pursue and proclaim that, whereas it is much more of a balancing act for a woman. Not only should she not be too “pushy”, she shouldn’t be too passive either. A woman who says she is looking for a husband may be the butt of jokes, but so will a woman who says that she is just sitting back waiting for the One. Halachically and spiritually (See Rav Ginsburg’s “Brit Hanisuim”) it is the man’s role to seek out his wife, to be married and to complete his wife, whilst the woman is the “aveida” to be sought out. Yet it is also, 2009.

I recently met a woman who is probably more proactive in asking guys out than most guys are in asking girls out. Maybe if girls take more action it won’t sound as nebach.