Roland Warren, the president of the National Fatherhood Initiatives, is one of my heroes in the business of supporting responsible fatherhood. He wrote a fascinating editorial in the Washington Post recently in which he wonders aloud (or in print) why the mistresses of famous men become famous and get their moment in the spotlight while the men like Elliot Spitzer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods, John Edwards and Anthony Wiener are criticized vehemently in the press. ?Roland opines,
The circumstances of these affairs vary, but there are troubling common threads. Yes, many people feel sympathy for the wives. But consider how high-profile adulterous affairs play out in the media: The shamed husband and father is dragged into the public square, generally now before cameras, for a well-deserved "stoning." And the "other woman" is escorted on stage by a team of publicists, lawyers and other handlers who turn her into a celebrity....We are, as a society, a long way from making such women wear a scarlet "A." But it was not so long ago that the community of mothers was organized and vocal and got fighting mad at women who were a danger to their families....
Mothers knew that these women were as much predator as they were prey. That's why they were called ''home wreckers" in polite company and worse when the kids were not in earshot. These angry mothers, while rightly holding their husbands and the fathers of their children to the pledge of fidelity, realized what would happen not just to their families but also to society if this type of behavior were celebrated rather than confronted.
Now there is a provocative thought. ? Without excusing in the least the behavior of these high profile men who cheated on their wives, is it time to hold the "other woman" accountable publicly as well? ? What impact do you think a stronger public stance against infidelity, no matter who is involved, would have on marriage and family?
Follow me on Twitter | Join my LinkedIn Group | Connect with me on Facebook
No comments:
Post a Comment