Posted on 01/08/2006 2:24:03 PM PST by Lorianne
It is 25 years since Terry Hekker hailed the housewife, now in a landmark decision the acclaimed author has rejected her past saying she was wrong
Terry Hekker wrote a book in 1980 that made her famous. Ever Since Adam & Eve was a passionate defence of her decision to eschew a career and spend her life as a wife and a mother.
Coming at the end of the Seventies, when feminism was enjoying a renaissance and the career woman was emerging from behind the cooker, Hekker became a celebrated poster child for more old-fashioned values. She wanted her job choice of 'homemaker' to be considered as valid as those of up-and-coming women bankers, bosses and company directors.
Today, Hekker told The Observer, she is planning a follow-up book. Its working, albeit jokey, title is bluntly honest: Disregard First Book. For her life did not turn out as she planned, and she now believes her decision to become a housewife and homemaker should serve as a warning for young American women. 'My anachronistic book was written while I was in a successful marriage that I expected would go on forever. Sadly, it now has little relevance for modern women, except perhaps as a cautionary tale,' Hekker wrote last week as she announced her U-turn.
In a display of spectacular bad taste, Hekker's husband presented her with divorce papers on their 40th wedding anniversary and left her for a younger woman. The divorce left her facing an uncertain financial future, bereft of income and - after spending her adult life bringing up five children - lacking skills to make her attractive in the job market. Despite that, the judge in her divorce case suggested that - at 67 - she go for job training.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
The easiest thing to write a book about is something you know well. If it happens to be marketable, all the better. It's either that or sell real estate or...
It's important that you don't treat an author spouse poorly. Bernstein (Watergate fame) found that out when he cheated on Nora Ephron. She wrote a book about his escapades and made millions.
The hapless innocent husband is frequently blamed for "not making her happy" and she naively beleives that she can do better... which is usually NOT the case, as she is no longer the hot 21 year old surrounded with admirers that she remembers herself to have been back in her single days."
GIVE THAT MAN THE BLUE RIBBON!
Just say **** women and be done with 'em!!! (American ones anyway)...
I just don't get it. One of the best things about being over 40 is that I am no longer driven hormonally and chasing skirts is about 100001st on the list about now. I've gotten back into art, I have family and friends, a job I like reasonably well and my kids.
WTF would I EVER want to screw my life up again by becoming involved (much less again marrying) a woman?
I feel nothing but pity for the 40+ men who (undoubtedly due to mental reasons, because the hormones should have toned down), continue acting as if they were 20 again...idiots....
Now are you gonna buy me a new laptop (since I just puked all over the old one?)
Yeah, I thought that way once too. Then I got this pick axe in my back *OUCH* hurts like a b**** when I sit down...
Words suck.
Actions rule.
Excellent comments. Said it better than I could have
quit spewing such nonsense....it matters little who "starts" the paperwork ......what matters is who is forcing the issue......
its typical of some freepers to find fault with a conservative, husband loving, homemaker who gets dumped after raising the 5 kids and making a home.....all the things some freepers think make someone a saint....
well, all those values didn't do this woman a bit of good, now did they?.....
The dark, woman hating side of conservative ideology is raising it's ugly head here. Conservatives are all for women raising kids and even homeschooling kids. But they also love it when the man kicks the pet (who used to be the mother and wife) to the curb for the whore down the street. It tells you something...
Is that supposed to be Arianna Huffington?
bravo! everytime the subject of divorce comes up here, the woman is made out to be the witch who deserves it or caused it... must be some really bitter Freepers... i'm disgusted not only with the husband but with the new woman and others like her who have no problem taking part in ending a marriage... and who will do, say and believe anything to justify it...
a. Men wounded by divorce and
b. Women wounded by divorce.
Hence the diametrically opposed emoting.
And considering today's reality with a high divorce rate and the fact that many women may never marry, it is also a good idea.
So what the h### are women supposed to do? Obviously stay-at-home wives have a lot of nerve if they expect to be supported all their lives, according to Freepers. But on the other hand, if they have careers, they are evil Feminazis who are neglecting their children!"
You NAILED it. The attitudes toward women on this forum, and the contradictory expectations are a disgrace. I say this as someone who is and always has been very traditional.
You really triggered a few slugfests with this one. But seriously, isn't your use of "Neanderthals" as a keyword just a little over the top?
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