CO-HOST: Pat, this is from Anne who says, “My husband has always been a flirt and loves to talk with other women he finds attractive. He says he would never cheat on me but his actions are starting to get to me. What should I do?”
ROBERTSON: Anne, first thing is you need to make yourself as attractive as possible and don’t hassle him about it. And why is he doing this? Well, he’s doing it because he wants affirmation that he is still a man, that he is attractive — and he gets an affirmation of himself. That means he’s got an inferiority complex that’s coming out. And he’s not gonna cheat on you. He’s just playing.
But you need to not drive him away or start hassling and hounding on him, but make yourself as beautiful as you can, as fun as you can, and say let’s go out here, let’s go there, let’s go to the other thing.*Sigh* I don't know where to begin. "Make yourself more attractive and don't hassle him?" Seriously, that's your answer? Anne, I doubt you are reading this blog, but do not take this advice. Hassle your husband about it. Tell him you don't like it. Also, Christ seems to disagree with Robertson here.
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.Now, I can only think of one reason to knowingly flirt with a member of the opposite sex...and it isn't for the conversation.
Pop culture tells us it is ok to flirt, even if your married. Christ tells us otherwise, that we still commit adultery. If my wife caught me flirting with another woman, I think she might castrate me.
Pat Robertson's Advice To Woman Whose Husband Flirts... | Think Progress
I don't know that I would castrate you but it might feel like it! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to point out that Robertson's point of view is (sadly) not unique to him. It's a very generational notion. That doesn't make it right or even palatable but it is worth it to know the context. I have a postcard collection of 1950s advertisements and a lot of what he says about the effort a wife should put in her appearance, demeanor, and home is present in all of those old ads. Women were expected to be interesting (but not too interesting), pretty (but not too seductive), and efficient (but still inept enough to make a man feel needed). It was the woman's job to carry the burden of making a man feel desired and necessary.
This doesn't excuse Robertson but it does give an explanation for his attitude toward women. In short, he's from the Pleistocene era and damn proud of it. *sigh*
Truth be told, I'm a little more frightened of the people calling in to get advice from him. *shudder*
Hmmm, can't help wondering what his response would be if it was a man asking about his wife flirting. I somehow doubt it would be the same kind of make-yourself-attractive and don't-hassle-her kind of advice.
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