Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women

by Dr. Christine B. Whelan

Conventional wisdom - and more than a few hysterical headlines - would have us believe that the odds are stacked against smart, high-achieving women when it comes to marriage. Men don't want to marry women who are ambitious in their careers, the naysayers declare. Or women who make as much, or more, money as they do. Once a successful woman hits 30, her chances of finding a husband are limited, if not dire.

Nothing could be further from the truth! My new book, Why Men Marry Smart Women, explodes the ongoing myths about high-achieving women and marriage. The good news is backed by solid statistics from U.S. Census data, a Harris Interactive survey commissioned specifically for this book, and more than 100 interviews with high-achieving women and men in nine cities nationwide.

This groundbreaking new study corrects the bad-news lies widely perpetuated on television talk shows and in the pages of bedrock publications such as Newsweek and Forbes.com and shatters widespread myths:

Myth: Men want to marry subordinate women.Reality: 90% of high-achieving men want a woman who is as or more intelligent than they are. And more than 80% of high-achieving men said they want a woman who is as or more accomplished and educated than they areMyth: Successful career women aren't good mothers.

Reality: 68% of high-achieving men agree with the statement: "Smart women make better mothers." And two-thirds of high-achieving men said they believed a woman could be just as good of a mother if she worked outside the home.

Why Men Marry Smart Women is packed with personal stories and advice for smart, ambitious women who are worried that their career success is holding them back in their quest for love and happiness. Among the advice:

* Stop perpetuating the myth that men are intimidated by smart women. There's a high cost to the conventional wisdom that accomplished women don't get married - and it could be a self-fulfilling prophecy for you if you have a bad attitude toward dating.

* Don't downplay your career or educational success. One-third of the high-achieving women are hesitant to tell a man about their job or their educational background for fear it will intimidate him. But 71% of men say a woman's career or educational success makes her more desirable as a wife, so be proud of your accomplishments.

It's all about having the right attitude: For more information, visit http://www.whysmartmenmarrysmartwomen.com/ and buy your copy today!

Womanhood – A State Of Being

I am a ‘woman’, and I am proud to be one – are you? Maybe not. Know why? Because ever since you were a little girl it was drummed into you that a ‘woman’ is any overweight female with about three kids and facing a midlife crisis. Wrong. That is far from being a woman.

Ever gone to a party and heard ripples of laughter and girlish giggles when a grownup man enters and says "hey girls?" Compare that to the response you would get to "hello ladies" or worse – "ah women.". Nope not even a smile to that last remark. Ever wondered why?

I’ll tell you why. The word ‘woman’ is associated with so many negativities that no female wants to be called a woman. Shame isn’t it? Draw a mental picture of a ‘woman’ in your mind. Now let me rip that apart. Because a ‘woman’ is far from what has been portrayed and the general connotations people associate with ‘womanhood’.

Misconception 1: Womanhood does not come with age. It is an attitude, a state of being. Womanhood is not a physical state, but rather a stage of mental maturity and emotional intelligence. It is maturity not only of action, but thought and emotion. Perhaps that’s why it is usually misinterpreted with age. But a 20 year old female can also reach womanhood.

'Womanhood' is the most beautiful, fulfilling yet challenging experience any female can have in her lifetime – if she ever reaches that level of competence and security within herself. To be able to look the world in the eye and say I will, I can, I am and I accept myself for not having the physical strength of a man – but emotions as firm as boulders, a mind as intelligent as can be and a will strong enough to move the world. To not only accept herself as the physically petite sex, which was not made to do certain tasks but still be able to make decisions which can change the world. A woman knows that she has to and is capable of running a house, rearing children, and being extremely competitive at work. Women are the only beings who can juggle so many tasks and still not lose their feminine touch.

Ah ‘feminine’ – does not mean stilettos, a perfect figure, manicured nails and picture perfect looks. Feminine is a feeling. Within your heart you must know that you are the most beautiful creature God ever created. That even ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’ and the most beautiful adornment of heaven is also – a ‘woman’!

Womanhood comes only from the test of times, and signifies strength paired with delicateness. A woman is graceful not in her physical attributes, but in her manner, her poise, her actions. She can compete at the highest levels of intelligence and still not be classified only in one box. Any female who comes even near the feeling, the always vibrating emotion of womanhood in her existence - like being in love – can conquer the world any day, and will love to be called that which she is – not a girl, not a baby, not a lady, not a little lady – but just a woman – and oh – that is so hard to be!

Afreina Noor

Pakistan