When I read the Feb. 14 “Edgy Mama” column, “Thoughts On My Divorce," it sounded like complete fabrication, or at least like a glossed-over, broad-stroked portrayal of a "good divorce." It was nearly as poorly thought out as her Sept. 12 piece about Fifty Shades of Grey.
There's little that Glenn mentioned in that book (which indeed does sound like tripe) that couldn't be surpassed by a deconstruction of the Bible, with its incest, murder, sodomy, beheadings and crucifixion. Shall I keep that book out of my kids' lives too? To answer myself I'd say: "Arguably, yes, but I bet I can't."
Don't get me wrong — I don't completely disagree with Glenn's intention, but (and this is why I mentioned her divorce article) I think we women have to consider the fact that we've removed fatherly sexual advice from the picture through prevalent divorce and willful single-parenthood. I recently read the following, as a letter to our 15-year-old daughter from my divorced-cum-estranged husband:
“As you approach the advent of adulthood, I need to tell you this, and it's gonna be awkward to write, and surely as awkward to read: Sexuality and actual sexual behavior are on the horizon for you, and you need to know that that's powerful stuff … . You need to take ownership of your sexuality and know that nobody can share that with you without your consent.
“In the future (please … the distant future), I hope that you enjoy great sex with the right partner at the right time, and only your purest heart-of-hearts can determine whom or when that is. Don't rush it; don't try to score any points or try to keep up with whomever you think is cool or mature.
“It's your mind, your body and your spirit that's involved, and any prick who would distort facts or use arbitrary circumstance to persuade you into anything physical before you're ready, well, all you gotta do is call me, and I'd be happy to clearly explain the matter of my daughter's virtue to him. Remember, you're my hero.”
— Mary Quinn
Asheville
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