I'm sharing this here while I ponder what if anything to do about the fact that my answer to this week's "In Theory" question didn't make it into the print or online column, nor in the LaCanada Sun or Pasadena Sun. Was it the "O" word? My anecdote too earthy? Who knows. Yes, Sharon, I hear your giggling and "what do u expect?"
Don't proceed if a term for sexual release (which gets 50 hits from a quick search on the L.A. Times website) offends you.
Promoting better communication between spouses and suggesting that a happy sex life be a priority for them fits my idea of helpful marital advice. Of course I know the reality is that our sexual attributes evolved to perpetuate the species.
If Christians avoid discussion of sex that would seem to preclude lots
more little Christians, which doesn't seem like a good strategy to me.
Not to mention that humans have an abiding interest in the topic.
Among the numerous self-help and advice books published each year many take a religious perspective. This literature has been around for a long time. In fact in my family's home library when we were growing up sat a book called something like Facts of Life and Love for Christian Teens.
(What could my parents have thought we farm kids wouldn't know about the birds and the bees? The only mystery was how many of us there were, with the stairway to our rooms going through our parent's bedroom.)
Back on topic, I did pick up in this book some fascinating tidbits.
For instance boys clip their nails, but girls should file. Why?
Didn't say. More seriously -- and yes, I verified this after my teens
on a visit back home -- this pre-women's movement artifact failed to
mention female orgasm.
I assume Chapman's book represents some progress in the genre, though he is still enough of a sexist to recommend women submit to their husband. He is half right. Submission, meaning not always
having to have your way, is a good habit, but for both partners.
That and "never complain, never explain" will take you a long way in
marriage, I've learned in the 30 years of our first one.
His booming sales tell us this book's time has come. Wonder if there
is a market for marital advise for atheists?
Roberta Medford
Atheist
Montrose
Here's who did get published:
www.glendalenewspress.com/news/opinion/tn-pas-1204-in-theory-love-sex,0,270574,full.story
