Note from the Editor:

MENSIGHT would like to publish stories by men from all occupations and levels of society. We want to hear your complaints, your conflicts, your insights, your regrets, your thoughts, your anger, your fear, your frustration... your story.

Half of marriages today end in divorce. Women file first in most divorce cases and most often receive custody of the children. Women and men are waiting longer and longer to get married. Many young men, seeing what happened to their parents, are terrified that they have a 50% chance of having a failed marriage too. They lived through the aftermath of their parent's breakup and wonder if it will happen to them.

In the new age of equality men must now must compete with women in the workplace. However, the rules for dating have hardly changed. Men are still most often expected to approach first and pay for the meals and movies. If dating leads to marriage, men are still expected to buy expensive diamond engagement rings. Fathers are still expected to pay for expensive weddings.

Married couples with and without children face problems their parents never thought of. Do both partners work? How is the housework divided up? Who does the child care? How are the finances handled? Is she living up to his expectations and is he living up to hers? The stress level continues to rise with no solution in sight.

How do couples cope when there are virtually no role models for today's lifestyles? How do they communicate effectively? Should they seek secular or religious counseling? Should they emulate movies and television's portrayal of relationships?

We don't expect you to have the answer to these problems. Though we would like to hear about it if you do. Just tell us your story in your own words. They will be published in MENSIGHT Magazine in a series called "Real Men Talking."

Here are our criteria.

1. Writer must be male.
2. Include the name of your City and State.
3. Write honestly about your relationship experiences.
4. Avoid bashing women. We don't like it when men are bashed do we?
5. There is no limit on length.
6. We will review all entries before publishing.
7. We reserve the right to edit but you will be consulted before publishing.
8. You may remain anonymous if you chose.
9. Please email to mentalking@themenscenter.com .

 

Copyright 2004 Jim Bracewell, all rights reserved