Anyone read this book. It kinda makes me angry reading this even though it was written in the 80's. I heard through the grapevine it was a WAY mandatory reading for married women. Just looking for folks opinions that are familiar.......
NOPE! Never read it and if it came out of TWI, I still don't want to read it. Their views on marriage always left me with a sick spiritual feeling in my spiritual "stoma"
so, I'm not looking to deliberately make myself ill.
Never read that one, but read "The Total Woman" by Marabel Morgan, which I gather is somewhat similar in that it recommends manipulation and seduction as important tools for the little lady to get what she wants from her man.
Pretty sickening.
There are great books out there on marriage. Neither of these is on the list.
Actually, Johnny, it was much earlier than that. I heard of it but never read it when I was first "in" in 1973, got married in 1977, and soon thereafter all the rage was "The Total Woman".
My husband thought "The Total Woman" was total BS! He has no problem with a thinking woman who is honest and loving, and doesn't need to connive when she can have an honest conversation.
Oh! "The Total Woman". I remember that book. It doesn't seem as if the title of the book at the beginning of this thread is even mentioned. So, I assumed that the title of the thread, "Fascinating Womanhood" was also the title of the book in question. But, I don't remember reading it anyway.
I remember some book called "Extended For Pleasure", er, "Intended For Pleasure" that was suggested reading for marrieds, as well as some book called "Love Life". It seemed to me, that my wife and I finally chucked those damned books because neither of us could live up the perfection, as well as the "formulas" for successful married life that was pitched in those books. Oh, there was another by "Tim LaHaye" that was supposed to be a great marriage book. My wife and I just jokingly refer to them as "Christian Sex Manuals". We don't put much stock in them, for, we have figured out about sex on our own. Not that hard to do, really. Haha!
Thanks for the links, WD...the cozy link with the response is a hoot!
From Fascinating Womanhood:
"Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift".
From the spoof response link:
"Forget about being a little gay. Be really, really gay! Meet him at the door with a joint, a bottle of frozen vodka, or both".
Hahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!
Yeppers, Fascinating Womanhood was pushed by twi at least as early as 1974, I believe. I am ashamed to say that I bought the book and the bull$hi! for a time. Luckily, my husband was more of a "Man of Steel and Velvet" (another book lauded in those days, but not nearly as much as FW).
The push of "The Total Woman" came after FW.
As much as I scoff at the manipulation suggested by those books, some of the ideas are just common courtesy and IMHO should be practiced by both partners...golden rule-type stuff. It's not always possible, but nice to walk in from work and not get bombarded with problems.
When I first heard Roseanne Barr do standup, I remember thinking that she had read and probably tried FW. Look what happened to her...'nuff said.
Yes, "Fascinating Womanhood" was around in the early- to mid-1970's. It was for married women. The author had a version for single women ("Fasinating Girl" I believe) I read both. Even for the times, it was extreme. For example, if woman goes to college at all (which is a negative) she should only get a liberal arts degree -- she does not want to have more education than her husband. Besides, she should not work out side the home under any circumstances so a college education is a waste. If money is a problem little lady -- you just do a better job with that budget. What was really creepy is that it recommended that women check out the kinds of clothes little girls wear and duplicate them. "Your husband might want you only to wear them at home, but he will love them."
As for fascinating girls, we should appeal to a man's sense of masculinity by doing such things as dressing up in a frilly outfit with dainty shoes, even if we are going hiking. That way, we will have to appeal to him to help us, and he will so enjoy the sense of masculinity, he won't be able to get us out of his mind. (By the way, when he comes courting, make sure to put a soft pink light bulb in the lamp because it is extra flattering.) Oh yes, and don't even think about sex before marriage -- he is just testing you. She then recounts as proof the fictional story of Dorian Grey who persuades his fiance to sleep with him. The next morning he tells her he is very disappointed and won't marry her now. The "poor girl" drowns herself.
I believe the male counterpart was something along the lines of "The man of velvet and steel" or "The steel hand in the velvet glove."
She really did not approve of women working or being too well educated. I will confess that some of the advice is not bad. I do respect women who (quite rightly) view homemaking as a career and take pride in doing it well ala a virtuous woman. But, come one -- dress up in "little girl clothes"?!!!! Also, stamp your feet and call him "a big brute." Although, I guess if it works....
But, it was really pushed on us at the time. "This is how a real woman behaves!" Given that I was attending college, it really grated on me.
By the way, Waysider, did you ever read the male counterpart -- because I never really heard that much about it.
She really did not approve of women working or being too well educated. I will confess that some of the advice is not bad. I do respect women who (quite rightly) view homemaking as a career and take pride in doing it well ala a virtuous woman. But, come one -- dress up in "little girl clothes"?!!!! Also, stamp your feet and call him "a big brute." Although, I guess if it works....
But, it was really pushed on us at the time. "This is how a real woman behaves!" Given that I was attending college, it really grated on me.
By the way, Waysider, did you ever read the male counterpart -- because I never really heard that much about it.
Fascinating Womanhood was definately recommended reading for corps, even to the late 80s, but it wasn't required.
The other books mentioned all sound familiar but I don't remember reading any of them.
However, the book Bedside Manners was required reading during the reign of the 15th-13th corps because Doc Vic did a lecture series on it at Emporia... it was during that delightful stint that at the tender age of 18 I saw the doggie porn flick and felt physically ill the rest of the evening!!
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brideofjc
NOPE! Never read it and if it came out of TWI, I still don't want to read it. Their views on marriage always left me with a sick spiritual feeling in my spiritual "stoma"
so, I'm not looking to deliberately make myself ill.
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Watered Garden
Never read that one, but read "The Total Woman" by Marabel Morgan, which I gather is somewhat similar in that it recommends manipulation and seduction as important tools for the little lady to get what she wants from her man.
Pretty sickening.
There are great books out there on marriage. Neither of these is on the list.
WG
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J0nny Ling0
Nevah hoid of it! But maybe that was suggested reading in TWI II? My wife and I were gone by 89-90.
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Watered Garden
Actually, Johnny, it was much earlier than that. I heard of it but never read it when I was first "in" in 1973, got married in 1977, and soon thereafter all the rage was "The Total Woman".
My husband thought "The Total Woman" was total BS! He has no problem with a thinking woman who is honest and loving, and doesn't need to connive when she can have an honest conversation.
WG
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J0nny Ling0
Oh! "The Total Woman". I remember that book. It doesn't seem as if the title of the book at the beginning of this thread is even mentioned. So, I assumed that the title of the thread, "Fascinating Womanhood" was also the title of the book in question. But, I don't remember reading it anyway.
I remember some book called "Extended For Pleasure", er, "Intended For Pleasure"
that was suggested reading for marrieds, as well as some book called "Love Life". It seemed to me, that my wife and I finally chucked those damned books because neither of us could live up the perfection, as well as the "formulas" for successful married life that was pitched in those books. Oh, there was another by "Tim LaHaye" that was supposed to be a great marriage book. My wife and I just jokingly refer to them as "Christian Sex Manuals". We don't put much stock in them, for, we have figured out about sex on our own. Not that hard to do, really. Haha!
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WhiteDove
Written in the 60s I think they sold the hardbounds in the bookstore here is the info........
CLICK
CLICK
CLICK
then go to bookshelf
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tonto
Thanks for the links, WD...the cozy link with the response is a hoot!
From Fascinating Womanhood:
"Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift".
From the spoof response link:
"Forget about being a little gay. Be really, really gay! Meet him at the door with a joint, a bottle of frozen vodka, or both".
Hahahahahahahahahahahahha!!!
Yeppers, Fascinating Womanhood was pushed by twi at least as early as 1974, I believe. I am ashamed to say that I bought the book and the bull$hi! for a time. Luckily, my husband was more of a "Man of Steel and Velvet" (another book lauded in those days, but not nearly as much as FW).
The push of "The Total Woman" came after FW.
As much as I scoff at the manipulation suggested by those books, some of the ideas are just common courtesy and IMHO should be practiced by both partners...golden rule-type stuff. It's not always possible, but nice to walk in from work and not get bombarded with problems.
When I first heard Roseanne Barr do standup, I remember thinking that she had read and probably tried FW. Look what happened to her...'nuff said.
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vermontlaw
Yes, "Fascinating Womanhood" was around in the early- to mid-1970's. It was for married women. The author had a version for single women ("Fasinating Girl" I believe) I read both. Even for the times, it was extreme. For example, if woman goes to college at all (which is a negative) she should only get a liberal arts degree -- she does not want to have more education than her husband. Besides, she should not work out side the home under any circumstances so a college education is a waste. If money is a problem little lady -- you just do a better job with that budget. What was really creepy is that it recommended that women check out the kinds of clothes little girls wear and duplicate them. "Your husband might want you only to wear them at home, but he will love them."
As for fascinating girls, we should appeal to a man's sense of masculinity by doing such things as dressing up in a frilly outfit with dainty shoes, even if we are going hiking. That way, we will have to appeal to him to help us, and he will so enjoy the sense of masculinity, he won't be able to get us out of his mind. (By the way, when he comes courting, make sure to put a soft pink light bulb in the lamp because it is extra flattering.) Oh yes, and don't even think about sex before marriage -- he is just testing you. She then recounts as proof the fictional story of Dorian Grey who persuades his fiance to sleep with him. The next morning he tells her he is very disappointed and won't marry her now. The "poor girl" drowns herself.
I believe the male counterpart was something along the lines of "The man of velvet and steel" or "The steel hand in the velvet glove."
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waysider
Hi, Vermontlaw!
I knew if anyone would remember that book, you would, because it seemed like all the young ladies in your hometown had a copy.
I remember how they used to parrot various sections of it in a sarcastically mocking manner.
It was really all great fun hearing them slice and dice it.
Oh, Gosh Golly Gee!
A truly PROPER lady would NEVER want to become something so unlady-like as a doctor or an attorney, now would she?
HeeHee
Prrrrrr! :)
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vermontlaw
She really did not approve of women working or being too well educated. I will confess that some of the advice is not bad. I do respect women who (quite rightly) view homemaking as a career and take pride in doing it well ala a virtuous woman. But, come one -- dress up in "little girl clothes"?!!!! Also, stamp your feet and call him "a big brute." Although, I guess if it works....
But, it was really pushed on us at the time. "This is how a real woman behaves!" Given that I was attending college, it really grated on me.
By the way, Waysider, did you ever read the male counterpart -- because I never really heard that much about it.
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waysider
Nope.
Bought the book but never cracked the cover. :)
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ChasUFarley
It was still around in the late 90's and is a total load of toss.
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waysider
Total Load of Toss!!
HaHaHaHa!
Never heard that expression before.
Good gravy, I must be gettin' old!
Sigh!
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TheHighWay
Fascinating Womanhood was definately recommended reading for corps, even to the late 80s, but it wasn't required.
The other books mentioned all sound familiar but I don't remember reading any of them.
However, the book Bedside Manners was required reading during the reign of the 15th-13th corps because Doc Vic did a lecture series on it at Emporia... it was during that delightful stint that at the tender age of 18 I saw the doggie porn flick and felt physically ill the rest of the evening!!
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excathedra
i do believe i read 'em all
but none of them taught me what i should do with a man on a motorcoach
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Bramble
The dress like a little girl thing--gag! If I wore a rufflly dress and Mary Janes with anklets my husband would rush me to the ER.
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vermontlaw
I dunno, Bramble. Why don't you give it a try and see how he reacts? (Just kidding.)
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excathedra
excathedra said
ohmy what was the problem ?
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