Audrey,
I believe that your thinking would have been the thinking of a lot of men also, or at least initially. That is before they had anything to do with the Family Court, or been on the receiving end of a DVO, or sexual harassment notice.

I personally have not had anything to do with such things, but I have heard from many men who have, and I have heard how they have had to navigate through that process.

With the low rates of marriage, it could said that there is a “marriage” strike occurring. However there are definite signs that a “dating” strike between couples is also beginning to occur in the US, where this story originates.

Audrey, for once I agree with you 100%.

Bozie,

If you have a look at the list of the principal "wants" of the New Wife as mentioned earlier

-The new wife is usually a member of Generation Y and takes the best bits from the past: the romance of the 1950s plus the hard work her mother did in the 1960s.
-She is happy to return to the workforce after a five-year child-minding gap “They believe they can return to their careers at any time” says Barash
-The New Wife has a husband who supports her. “These men prefer to make more money so their wives can stay at home”.
-“Potentially a good provider” is on her shopping list when looking for a husband. “It is a very calculated conscious decision on the part of these women” says Brash.

What is missing? The word "love"
What is talked about the most? Money

Australians usually follow Americans by a few years, and I think a lot of men in Australia are now very concerned about the growing number of women who can very easily change into the human equivalent of the female scorpion. If you don't think there are such women, then you haven't been around.

I am a woman -- So I am a victim -- So you have to give me lots and lots of Money.

Seems to be the catch-cry of many women now in certain societies.

So if a male instinctively doesn't like her at first -- It is best for him to stay well away.

Timithy, I understand where you're coming from, but I think you're being a little bit too cynical.

Sure there are women around as you describe. I think the traditional word is "gold digger" & it was around long before the feminist movement really took off. There are also men around who look to become romantically involved with women so as to fleece them of everything they own. They too are in the minority. I think these people are a result in a defect of character rather than anything caused by the feminist movement. I know that the feminist movement is not without its defects, but like every other movement, philosophy and the like the extreme and dangerous elements are usually scrutinised, analysed and then discarded by the majority.

If you look at it, women have only had the luxury of marrying purely for love since the feminist movement took off. Prior to that their options were pretty limited and a financially secure future for them and any children would surely have been top of the list in looking for a spouse. If they happened to love them as well that must have been a bonus. My wife wouldn't have touched me with a stick under those conditions!

Now whilst not exactly a feminist, my wife is no shrinking violet when it comes to womens rights. Some of her friends could easily be cast as feminists and both they and my wife seem alright to me! All bar a couple are married, seemingly happily, most have children whom they seemingly adore, most (not all) also work. They all exhibit pretty good family values to me, even if some of them do vote labor!

I do agree with the last comment you make. If you don't instinctively like someone at first why WOULD you want to hang around?

Oh, I think your underestimating certain things a little Bozzie.

Depending on how you want to calculate the statistics, then divorce is occurring between 30% to 50% of marriages. The rate of separation in de-facto relationships is estimated to be higher. Almost 1 in 3 children will not be living with both parents by the age of eighteen, and in nearly 90% of the time, the custodial parent is the mother and the contact the children have with their natural father is greatly reduced.

This is the current reality.

No other group or movement in society, has called for divorce or the splitting of the nuclear family as much as the feminist movement. If you thoroughly research it, you will learn that this is a fact, and calls by feminists for more divorce are still occurring even in very recent times.

“Time consuming” Audrey? I would like to think not many women set out this way from their first “he’s into me” date.

If both men and women actually knew where they stand from the very start, and stood as equals, things could be a little different. If no fault divorce (as one example), means neither party is at fault, then why is all the punishment meted out to fathers, while mothers are rewarded? “No fault” seems more of a presumption of guilt, than guilt free, as was apparently intended.

If men were only given the respect they deserve (no more, no less), I doubt this discussion would be taking place.

Timithy, you are right. Keep up the good work in building awareness.