Wives and the Short End of the Stick….
Brenda Porter, June 25, 2007
Judy Brady’s essay, “I Want a Wife,” is a fairly accurate description of what it means to be a wife. Although the essay was published over thirty-five years ago, most of the points Brady makes still hold true today. The essay is sarcastic in style, but the statements made about what a husband expects of a wife and her duties are realistic. All anyone has to do is watch the television show, “Wife Swap,” to see the similarities to Brady’s essay and the relevance it has to today’s society.
The most interesting part of reading this essay was the fact that it was written in a sarcastic style to bring attention to how the daily hard work wives do does go greatly unappreciated. Every point made by Brady I found myself thinking how true it is. Most men today and in generations past expect wives to take care of the house, children, cooking, cleaning, laundry, appointments, perform sexually when called on, not to complain, and look as good as possible while doing all of it. Basically reiterating everything Brady said because it remains valid today as it did thirty-six years ago.
Brady may seem at first glance to be downing marriage life, but in fact she is bringing to light what we should be cherishing in wives. She is letting us know that wives are great, selfless, and sacrificing people who do whatever is needed for the one they love. The point is to show that to be a wife is to be dedicated to the needs of others just because you love them and want nothing but their success.
Also, even with statements referring to the husband easily disposing of an unacceptable performance of a wife by obtaining a “new” wife, Brady really is promoting keeping a marriage together through good and bad times. Once again she uses sarcasm to bring this out by using examples of ungrateful husbands leaving the dutiful wife once he’s gotten all the good out of her and free himself to please himself. Yes, there are men like this out there, but I really think Brady is trying to say that life is difficult and once a man and woman commit to be life partners that it has meaning and value not something easily discarded if one isn’t “happy”.
There have been a lot of things go wrong in marriages in the past and today. There have also been a lot of good things too. The institution of marriage is still one of the strongest values we as a society can have and must continue to pursue. Without it we are nothing but out for ourselves and very lonely in the end. Children can’t grow and thrive without some type example of caring. Without caring for the people we choose to marry and have children with, what legacy are we leaving the generations to come? Where will that leave us?
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