Guess What--You’re NOT Entitled

Rating: S
Our newspaper has rotating advice columns in the “Everyday” section. Today it had Miss Manners, Dr. Donohue (for some reason that one never rotates), and Annie’s Mailbox. Annie apparently went to her mailbox to publish responses to the question of why men have affairs. Read the article in its entirety—it’s enough to vex anyone. Here are some quotes from married men around the country: “. . .it’s all emotion and hormones.” “The problem is sex. . .I found relief with a woman in my office. The sex is passionate and varied.” “She never made me feel important.” “When a young gal paid me some attention, it boosted my self-esteem like you would not believe.” “I am in the process of finding a woman I can have a physical relationship with.” “Every few months I pay $150 for an hour with someone who takes care of me and doesn’t tell me I’m wrong about everything. That hour lifts my self-esteem so I can continue in the marriage.”
Wow. Bad grammar aside (a preposition is not something to end a sentence with), these guys should have their man licenses revoked. Real men don’t whine about self-esteem. Real men wake up and realize that married life is not all about being young, virile, and sexy. Real men take seriously the vows of “for better and for worse” and “forsaking all others.” You’re not entitled to have a wife that fulfills your every whim. If you don’t like the situation, here’s a novel idea—try talking to her. Get some marriage counseling if you feel you can’t deal with it. Don’t give up on her and walk away. That’s why our society is falling apart. People think everything is supposed to be idyllic and hearts and flowers. They have to persistence when life gets rough. So guys, be men and take care of your women. They need you more than you think.
If marriage shows us how Christ relates to his bride, the Church, thank God Christ doesn’t give up on us when the chips are down, or we would have been condemned long ago.