So, the reason I haven’t been blogging much is that I’ve been researching for an essay, and that research has led me to a lot of parenting-type books, most of which were written by women. Anyway, here’s one of the essays I read: The Wifely Duty – The Atlantic.
It’s by Caitlin Flanagan, my favorite writer at The Atlantic. She’s great at calling ‘Bullshit!’ on some of the more far-out post-feminist ideas. Enjoy.
I'm a columnist and blogger for Military Spouse magazine. I'm a Navy husband, a dad, and an aspiring novelist.
This is my personal blog. If it sounds too quiet around here, it's probably because I have no energy for writing because I'm engaged in that all-consuming endeavor called Parenting. I'll post when I have something to say, or when I find a stray bit of creative energy, or when Sean heads off to school.
If you have a question about being a male military spouse or about my writing, you can post it here or e-mail me.
I can see why you enjoy reading her. And a lot of post-feminist ideas are bullshit. I actually read the article, even though, being single and childless, and have virtually no idea what she’s talking about. I really just couldn’t understand it. Also, it was long. I think I drifted off about three times. Just more proof that Americans (me) are getting “stoopider.” Or maybe it’s because I’m a woman. My attention span is probably shorter than yours, being a man. All in all though, a good recommendation. Thanks!
Excellent essay! I couldn’t agree more with Mrs. Flanagan’s appraisal of traditional marriages vs. modern. I’m so proud of her for daring to suggest that life mightn’t have been all repression and suppression back in the nifty fifties. While there are some mores I would not want to borrow from the good old days, I think modern ideas have been to throw out the baby with the bath water. (Or keep the baby and throw out the husband?)
I think the writer makes a salient point by noting the stratification of children above spouse. This upside down family dynamic is a devastating to the intimacy of husbands and wives and is really a disservice to children, whose personalities are skewed when they grow up believing themselves to be the center of the universe.