Q&A with Dr. Carin
How did you get the idea for The Superior Wife?
Real life. I am living proof of the superior wife, and all the problems that role entails. Also, in much of the social research I’ve been conducting over the past few decades, every time I’d ask women about their marriages, I’d notice that they almost always expressed disappointment and unhappiness about how lopsided their work load seemed to be. I decided I needed to figure out the real reason for this dilemma.
What does your husband think of your book?
Oddly, I think my husband would agree that I do a lot of things better than he does—”he certainly uses that as an excuse for why I should do X, Y, or Z. As in, “You’re so much better at cleaning up the kitchen than I am,” or “You’re so much better at separating the laundry than I am.” And on and on. . .
Are you a man-hater?
Certainly not. Some of my best friends are men, including my husband and my son. Still, when men decide to coast, thereby forcing their wives into doing all and being all and knowing all, I have to admit that I don’t like them very much.
Do you believe your theories and numbers?
I’m a great believer in the power of statistics. Also, my research is quite solid, in my humble opinion. In addition, there’s nothing so convincing as common sense, and the superior wife syndrome seems to make a lot of sense. When most women learn about it, their initial reaction is usually a giant smile of recognition, and an “Aha!” moment.
Is there hope for superior wives?
Yes, and the first step is to admit that you suffer from superior wife syndrome. The second is to examine the last few chapters of my book, where you’ll learn about the 21 ways to cure superior wife syndrome.
Has your life and marriage changed at all after writing this book?
I’m trying, very hard, to follow my own advice. Thus, my husband is now the one who cleans the kitchen and does the laundry and he is no longer allowed to coast, cruising in the passenger seat and relaxing while I do all the driving. That said, I usually do all the driving—”I mean the literal driving, when we’re in the car and travelling more than, say, 25 miles. I just really really hate the way he drives—”with reckless over-cautiousness, like a drunk old lady!
Real life. I am living proof of the superior wife, and all the problems that role entails. Also, in much of the social research I’ve been conducting over the past few decades, every time I’d ask women about their marriages, I’d notice that they almost always expressed disappointment and unhappiness about how lopsided their work load seemed to be. I decided I needed to figure out the real reason for this dilemma.
What does your husband think of your book?
Oddly, I think my husband would agree that I do a lot of things better than he does—”he certainly uses that as an excuse for why I should do X, Y, or Z. As in, “You’re so much better at cleaning up the kitchen than I am,” or “You’re so much better at separating the laundry than I am.” And on and on. . .
Are you a man-hater?
Certainly not. Some of my best friends are men, including my husband and my son. Still, when men decide to coast, thereby forcing their wives into doing all and being all and knowing all, I have to admit that I don’t like them very much.
Do you believe your theories and numbers?
I’m a great believer in the power of statistics. Also, my research is quite solid, in my humble opinion. In addition, there’s nothing so convincing as common sense, and the superior wife syndrome seems to make a lot of sense. When most women learn about it, their initial reaction is usually a giant smile of recognition, and an “Aha!” moment.
Is there hope for superior wives?
Yes, and the first step is to admit that you suffer from superior wife syndrome. The second is to examine the last few chapters of my book, where you’ll learn about the 21 ways to cure superior wife syndrome.
Has your life and marriage changed at all after writing this book?
I’m trying, very hard, to follow my own advice. Thus, my husband is now the one who cleans the kitchen and does the laundry and he is no longer allowed to coast, cruising in the passenger seat and relaxing while I do all the driving. That said, I usually do all the driving—”I mean the literal driving, when we’re in the car and travelling more than, say, 25 miles. I just really really hate the way he drives—”with reckless over-cautiousness, like a drunk old lady!
