[Accygirl]

"Your posts have a lot of anger in them, why is that? "

I believe that lots of people on this board, who agree with me on many things, are also trying to keep me in the kitchen. Frankly, I fear for the Republican party if its rank and file cannot accept the fact that there are women out there who want real careers...

"What interests me is that you're angrily defending your right to choose a mate based on income, education, and a laundry list of your needs and expectations, yet nowhere do you mention love,"

I'm a college educated woman; I'd like to go out with a guy with a college degree since I think that he would have more in common with me than a guy who changes oil at Jiffy Lube. Frankly, I believe that before you even get to love, you have to like someone, and if you don't have anything in common with that person, then you're not going to even go out with him. Also, I would like someone who has some economic stability... There's nothing less sexy for a woman than having to provide for a deadbeat husband. I have no expectations concerning a guy's looks or his personality (although I have no tolerance for Mama's boys).

"and you spit on the idea of motherhood."

No, I would like to get married and have kids if I meet a desirable man; however, I have not met him yet. If I haven't met him by the time I'm thirty-three, I might seriously consider having a child on my own... I don't think that this is so bad.

However, I do "spit" on the idea of motherhood for children who are only eighteen, even if those children decide to get married.

"You, i feel, will join their ranks. I don't say that to be malicious, I just know your kind"

Dude... did you read your little tirade???? And you think that I seem bitter??? It seems like you are a bit bitter as well...

"start to develop healthy attitudes towards men, marriage, and motherhood. Nobody is demanding that women stay barefoot and pregnant, yet you came out of the box swinging for the fence with attitude and anger, and showed yourself to be part of the problem the article talks about. "

Being a stay-at-home/ homeschooling mom with fifteen children is better than being a career woman is the prevailing attitude of this board. I've been around here long enough and gotten into enough fights with men (and women) who feel that women should remain pregnant, barefoot, and in the kitchen to realize the sort of people who post here. I post counterarguments because the fact that there are people who still think this way in the U.S., especially when we're fighting a war against people who treat women as second class citizens, disgusts me.

"Women are more educated then men? LOL. Okay, whatever you say. That's a nice, snooty attitude you have, and that will do fine to ruin any chance you have of ever being in an honest relationship. Respect is important, and with your comments, you show yourself to be a typical man-basher, who looks down her nose at men. You anger also reveals this. "

Here's an article concerning attracting young people to mid sized cities... http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-03-08-cities-women_x.htm It basically states that women in Gen X and Gen Y are better educated, more likely to attend and complete college, and more desirable for these cities than young men. I wish the opposite was the case as it would improve my chances of getting married.

""Dead end job"? So you'd rather be alone, and single, instead of enjoying the love and comfort of a family? Marriage isn't about being rich, my dear, it's about much more important things than money. I think, with your anger and your attitude, you will never find those things, and I feel sad for you. I hope you find some comfort in material possessions and social rung climbing, but I doubt it, meanwhile, all those guys in "dead end" jobs will be going home at night to loving families and a life of happiness and prosperity you will never understand or know. "

Or perhaps they're stressed by the fact that they cannot pay their bills and have over twenty thousand dollars in credit card debt??? However, I digress. I'm sure that many of those men have wives and children who love them, but they're probably not college educated women. I'm sure that for someone who lives in a trailer park or an inner city ghetto, a guy who works as a mechanic is a good catch.

[Mamzelle]

Interesting exchange going on. These guys that squawk because you hope for an educated man with a good job are the same ones who squawk at any woman who's not real easy on the eyes. For richer, for poorer--as long as she's a size 8 or under.

[KantianBurke]

"I'm sure that for someone who lives in a trailer park or an inner city ghetto, a guy who works as a mechanic is a good catch."

Disgusting sentiments but seeing that you're quite the snob, not surprising in the least. Tell me, what's your opinion of those Marines and soldiers out on patrol in Baghdad right now? Most of them don't have college degrees. They all get paid squat. Judging from your comments and attitude you wouldn't even give them the time of day; guys who exhibit bravery, courage and patriotism on a daily basis. But since their pay checks don't have enough zeros, they suck. Perhaps its a blessing in disguise though. Would they so readily put their lives on line knowing it was for women like you who thought so low of them?

[RochesterFan]

I think you misinterpret the motives and objectives of many here. I suspect it is the rare few who wish to keep their women "barefoot and pregnant."

Both my wife and I have Ph. D. degrees in the physical sciences. Initially, we had the vision of dual large salaries. The birth of our first son changed that. After carrying our son for nine months, my wife decided she really didn't want "someone else" raising her children and wanted to be a homemaker while they were small. I fully supported her desire. Because of our educational choices, we were able to support our family on a single income. Note - I could have had more and larger "toys" that we men often desire if my wife had focused on her career. I am glad we made the choice to forgo the toys and focus on our family.

After our children were in high school my wife desired to return to her career. Sadly, in too many fields it is very difficult for a woman to take an extended 'leave of absence' and return. In my wife's case, teaching was a viable option after several years as a homemaker. Her income in no way fully reflects her education and ability but she sees that she is making a difference in her students' lives and we have what we need. I both acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices she made for our family -- and the positive consequences of her choices.

One key to our happiness is a mutual commitment to our marriage. Life definitely has it "ups" and "downs" and we both find it much better to face the challenges together, rather than alone. Successes are sweeter with a mate to share in them. Failures are less bitter with a mate for comfort.

I would also point out that I would not have wanted to raise our two children as a single father. Children know how to "push" their parents' "buttons," and will exasperate anyone. When one of us was nearing our wits end, the other would step in. The result is that we have raised two young adults who are finishing graduate level programs. Higher education by a woman is never "wasted" - even if she decides to be a full time homemaker. One never knows exactly how she will use it and whom it will benefit down the line.

I suspect if one totals the effect of each of my wife's and my education over our lifetimes, it is quite possible that she will have more influence through the investment in the education of our children (we home schooled from grades 3-8) and her current students than I have had in my career as a research scientist, despite my larger integrated income. Monetary compensation is NOT the ultimate standard from which to judge success.

[Mr. Silverback]

,I>If I haven't met him by the time I'm thirty-three, I might seriously consider having a child on my own... I don't think that this is so bad.

You're college educated...why don't you look up some studies on the results of single motherhood?

[Darnright]

>I'm sure that for someone who lives in a trailer park or an inner city ghetto, a guy who works as a mechanic is a good catch.<

I'm not married to a mechanic, but I consider the guy (and his wife) who keeps our cars running a friend. Both of them are intelligent, they participate equally in their business, and they're deeply committed to each other. Not only that, they are honest to a fault, and they've NEVER told me a lie about my car's condition, or the cost to fix it.

Your statement above is snotty and elitist. The next time your car breaks down, you better not let the professional that puts you back on the road know what you think of his wife.

[Xenophon450]

"Or perhaps they're stressed by the fact that they cannot pay their bills and have over twenty thousand dollars in credit card debt??? However, I digress. I'm sure that many of those men have wives and children who love them, but they're probably not college educated women. I'm sure that for someone who lives in a trailer park or an inner city ghetto, a guy who works as a mechanic is a good catch."

Lies feed your judgement of others, Behold how the blind lead each other...