November 21st, 2012

Recommended Reading #125: Relationship, Pt. IV



      “The motherhood mystique” by Rachel Hills (Parenthood, Non-sex-related, Sociology) 11/19/12

This piece about Jessica Valenti’s new book, Why Have Kids?, includes quotes from her that I find strikingly insightful. The whole piece seems to me to address a profound issue and source of truth, and the comparison offered between the phenomenon in question and Friedan’s “problem with no name” strikes me as incisive as well. In addition, framing motherhood (and parenthood in general) as a relationship rather than a job resonates with me deeply. (For one thing, it occurs to me that it relinquishes the intrinsic recognition of the parent as “boss”….)

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      “My Mom Had Lots Of Sex And Met Her New Husband Through Online Dating” by Kerry Cohen (Sex and Culture, Sex and Aging, Self-Awareness) 10/8/12

Not only do I love this as an illuminating exposition on sexuality and aging, but I also greatly appreciate the absence of furtiveness or self-consciousness about authenticating and acknowledging one’s sexuality and behavior. The thwarting of a number of absurd cultural assumptions seems central to the experience detailed in this piece, and it’s one of the reasons I recommend it!

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      “The Cold, Hard Truth About Relationships” by Monica Day (Self-Awareness, Psychology) 10/2/12

I find this exposition about self-awareness, relationship with one’s self, and the relevance of both those things to any relationship with other brilliant.

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Recommended Reading posted every Wednesday

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