Author : Teresa Johnston Oden
Publisher : Teresa Johnston Oden
ISBN 13 : 059545609X
Total Pages : 101 pages
Book Rating : 4.5/5 (954 download)
Book Synopsis Spousework by : Teresa Johnston Oden
Download or read book Spousework written by Teresa Johnston Oden and published by Teresa Johnston Oden. This book was released on 2007-07 with total page 101 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "It's a privileged life with great potential, but if you don't keep the upper hand it feels like you've taken a wild animal into your home," says Teresa Oden, whose husband has been leading academic institutions for eighteen years. Although the spouses are a disparate bunch, Oden maintains that they share a desire to support their leader-partners. It's no simple task. "The institution is so closely entwined with the leader's life that it practically becomes a third partner in the marriage. The spouse must learn to negotiate with that fact." Oden discusses the ways in which supporting a leader-partner differs from traditional helpmate roles. She examines the reasons for lingering expectations-why female spouses in particular are still expected to volunteer their time to the leaders' careers-as well as the special concerns of male spouses. A self-described introvert who needs a lot of privacy, Oden admits that her adjustment to life as the leader's spouse was difficult. "Today I can honestly say that there are parts of my role that I treasure. I found my way, but I felt the lack of a book that spoke to my experience."