The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

So, Dr. Laura has a new book. Just reading the title raises an eyebrow. Reading the summary is like travelling in a time machine back 50 years.

In her newest book, Schlessinger?¢‚Ǩ¬¶unabashedly [asserts] that man is a “very simple creature,” who needs only “direct communication, respect, appreciation, food, and good loving'” to respond with devotion, compassion and love, this controversial marriage and family therapist claims that every woman can achieve a deeply satisfying marriage if she adheres to certain fundamentals men require. Preparing dinner, caring for the children without complaint, greeting her husband with a kiss and engaging in sexual intimacy instead of “tearing down a husband’s necessary sense of strength and importance” can result in the harmonious marriage women crave.

Is she serious?

7 thoughts on “The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands

  1. Yes, she is. The review in the pink box is less than perfectly accurate in its summation of Schlessinger’s book, however.

  2. I believe there was a similar book released a few years ago describing how the woman should ‘surrender’ to her man.

    As long as society continues to enforce gender roles, these authors will continue to sell books.

  3. Anita Canfield wrote a book like this. And Fascinating Womanhood is like this too.

    Do all your housework, keep the children educated, peaceful and happy and make sure you are all dolled up with supper ready to go and the children all cherubic and happy when your husband gets home so he can have a peaceful evening without any distractions. And you, the wife are supposed to suck it up and be all sweet and happy without any hang ups.

    A good recipe for depression and breakdown, in my opinion. I am not sure what this is supposed to accomplish? I suppose they think if everything is all calm CONSTANTLY and happy and smooth-running at home (or at least appears this way to the husband) than he will be happy and contented and won’t stray or something? I don’t know.

    Supper is SOMETIMES ready when Kim gets home. SOMETIMES the children are all happy when he comes home. I never get all dressed up with make-up and hair etc. Oh sometimes I do brush my hair before he comes home. Well, I have to say at least he has rarely (if ever?) come home to yelling screaming children. They only do that during the day, usually. Not often, but often enough that I would like a spa day.

  4. Having read the book, I think Schlessinger’s main thesis is that it’s not demeaning for a woman to do things for the purpose of pleasing her husband, and that by doing certain things for her husband, she will probably bring about greater harmony in her marriage.

    I harbor a suspicion that those who are criticizing the book above have never even opened it.

  5. Yes, but I think it should go both ways.

    I haven’t read the book because I don’t need to. My husband and I have a very harmonious relationship and always have had.

  6. …and will continue to have; As long as he knows his place, right Mary?

    ;)

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