I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife.
And, not altogether incidentally, I am a mother. Not too long ago a male friend of mine appeared on the scene fresh from a recent divorce. He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife. He is looking for another wife. As I thought about him while I was ironing one evening, it suddenly occurred to me that I too, would like to have a wife. Why do I want a wife?
I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically independent, support myself, and if need be, support those dependent upon me. I want a wife who will work and send me to school. And while I am going to school I want a wife to take care of my children. I want a wife a wife to keep track of the children's doctor and dentist appointments. And to keep track of mine, too. I want a wife to make sure my children eat properly and are kept clean. I want a wife who will wash the children's clothes and keep them mended. I want a wife who is a good nurturing attendant to my children, who arranges for their schooling, makes sure that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to the park, the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes care of the children when they are sick, a wife who arranges to be around when the children need special care, because, of course, I cannot miss classes at school. My wife must arrange to lose time at work and not lose the job. It may mean a small cut in my wife's income from time to time, but I guess I can tolerate that. Needless to say, my wife will arrange and pay for the care of the children while my wife is working.
I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will pick up after me. I want a wife who will keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended, replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it. I want a wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. I want a wife who will plan the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals,serve them pleasantly, and then do the cleaning up while I do my studying. I want a wife who will care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time from school. I want a wife to go along when our family takes a vacation so that someone can continue care for me and my when I need a rest and change of scene. I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a wife's duties. But I want a wife who will listen to me when I feel the need to explain a rather difficult point I have come across in my course of studies. And I want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them.
I want a wife who will take care of the details of my social life. When my wife and I are invited out by my friends, I want a wife who take care of the baby-sitting arrangements. When I meet people at school that I like and want to entertain, I want a wife who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal, serve it to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk about things that interest me and my friends. I want a wife who will have arranged that the children are fed and ready for bed before my guests arrive so that the children do not bother us. I want a wife who takes care of the needs of my quests so that they feel comfortable, who makes sure that they have an ashtray, that they are passed the hors d'oeuvres, that they are offered a second helping of the food, that their wine glasses are replenished when necessary, that their coffee is served to them as they like it. And I want a wife who knows that sometimes I need a night out by myself.
I want a wife who is sensitive to my sexual needs, a wife who makes love passionately and eagerly when I feel like it, a wife who makes sure that I am satisfied. And, of course, I want a wife who will not demand sexual attention when I am not in the mood for it. I want a wife who assumes the complete responsibility for birth control, because I do not want more children. I want a wife who will remain sexually faithful to me so that I do not have to clutter up my intellectual life with jealousies. And I want a wife who understands that my sexual needs may entail more than strict adherence to monogamy. I must, after all, be able to relate to people as fully as possible.
If, by chance, I find another person more suitable as a wife than the wife I already have, I want the liberty to replace my present wife with another one. Naturally, I will expect a fresh, new life; my wife will take the children and be solely responsible for them so that I am left free.
When I am through with school and have a job, I want my wife to quit working and remain at home so that my wife can more fully and completely take care of a wife's duties.
My God, who wouldn't want a wife?

http://www.cwluherstory.com/CWLUArchive/wantawife.html

do you think a wife still has this role? have the roles switched, are men taking more responsibility than women in families? are marriages more equal today?

Originally posted by jadatrack do you think a wife still has this role? have the roles switched, are men taking more responsibility than women in families? are marriages more equal today?

I think there are still a few women who would be happy in the "traditional role...but not many:p

Relationships vary, but usually there is some form of division of duties, so to speak. I personally had a very difficult time when my ex went back to work after being a stay home mom for many years. By that I mean coming home and having to do "dinner" and the cleanup afterwards and all the other little chores of the evening while she was at work. I could deal with it until it got to the point where her work didn't involve providing a better life for our little family, but more a "better" life for her. That seems to be how it goes within my age group.

Younger people seem to have a better understanding of what their relationship will involve..that is, both will probably be working right from the start and continue doing so even if children become involved - atleast that's what I see within my own realm.

As to the "equality" issue, again that will vary on the relationship. I've seen a few marraiges fall apart when the couple winds up "competing" against each other. Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's something one of them no longer wants to face.

For the most part of what I have seen even the women who profess eternal love on the average only mean it as long as they can get their way in the relationship. Guys do it too though.

I suppose the biggest change from those traditional roles is that a majority of the time now, both partners work full time jobs, so the other things have to be shared. Some do this well, some don't. I think there is still a certain amount of expectation out there for women, despite working full time, to take on the majority of the "home" duties, and child minding duties though.

Your wife is your partner.

She is you. You are her. You are one.

If you talk smack about her at a poker party, you dishonor yourself.

She is not perfect. She farts in bed.

She is the love of your life.

Otherwise, what is the use getting hitched? :|

Originally posted by jojo
She is not perfect. She farts in bed.

do you watch sex and the city?

i know people think that it's more equal now, but think of your own marriage, your parents...is it really as equal as you think?

we read this article in my english class today, and most students said that their families are just like that. some said it was thier mothers that were the "wives" others said that their fathers took over the role. personally, my family is pretty much equal. my dad does the planning and takes off for the children. my mom does the cleaning and cooking. both work. my mother has moved herself and her children for my dad, and my dad has moved himself and his children for my mother

Originally posted by jadatrack

do you watch sex and the city?

i have seen it a few times.

i know people think that it's more equal now, but think of your own marriage, your parents...is it really as equal as you think?

there is no equality issue in our house. when we first got married we both had our own checkbooks, cars, etc. etc. Over time we just started doing everything together. She handles money for the most part. My job is to keep receipts. I do food shopping and laundry. She minds the kids. I buy clothes for the girl. She buys clothes for the boys. She handles all the parties and social stuff for the kids except for cub scouts and baseball which is my job.

we read this article in my english class today, and most students said that their families are just like that. some said it was thier mothers that were the "wives" others said that their fathers took over the role. personally, my family is pretty much equal. my dad does the planning and takes off for the children. my mom does the cleaning and cooking. both work. my mother has moved herself and her children for my dad, and my dad has moved himself and his children for my mother

martha tried not working years ago. staying at home drove her crazy. shes been part time for the last 10 years. yeah, there are stereotypes.

Originally posted by jojo
i have seen it a few times.

i thought that maybe you were refrencing it there, because there's an episode in the first season where carrie farts while in bed with mr. big....maybe it's just fresh in my mind cuz i watched it a few days ago

Originally posted by jojo
Your wife is your partner.

She is you. You are her. You are one.

If you talk smack about her at a poker party, you dishonor yourself.

She is not perfect. She farts in bed.

She is the love of your life.

Otherwise, what is the use getting hitched? :|



That speaks volumes.

I want a man who understands that and will not dishonor me in any way.

I'm about to becomce a single father and I don't think I will ever want another wife. Its better with just me and my boyz.