Why not start a blog? That's what Rollo did...
As stated, I built a website devote to helping men, but my web designer never came through. I am going to look at some options regarding the issue. Yes, I am looking at blogging. I realize that I need to establish my authority to enter this debate.
That is why I am writing the book. Once the book is done I can then start thinking about a website. I do not want to cloud my judgment by worrying about the ability to make money off this venture. I just want to get the book done first. With all due modesty, I am an excellent coach but selling coaching is completely separate from writhing the book and getting feedback. That is what is important.
The book will be for sale, except members of this forum will get it for free. OK...so back to the text:
Failure to Launch Syndrome
There is a lot of talk at all levels of our culture about the fact that we are not producing men who are good fathers, husbands, and role models. To put a finer point on the problem, why are so many 30 year old men abdicating their roles for a life on the couch in their parents basement? This phenomena is called The Failure to Launch Syndrome.
The reason is that given the set of choices our society is offering, it is simply not worth the effort to build a career, marry and start a family. Why? Because chances are all your plans and hard work will fail. It does not matter how hard you work. It does not matter if you are a good husband and father. Even if you were lucky and your family survived our cultural onslaught upon men, these roles are not valued in our current society. A failure to launch is rational.
Why would an intelligent creature put his heart, soul, blood, sweat, and tears into something that can easily be taken away?
If we construct a model based upon evolutionary biology, evolutionary psychology, and rational choice theory it will consistently explain why women stay with or leave men. It will also explain why so many men are opting out.
These models explain why more than half of all marriages end and why the decision to divorce is made by the women.
Of course, these disciplines do not offer a solution. I had to look elsewhere.
In my search for answers I became involved with the seduction community. I found that their material had roots in academic sub-fields like evolutionary biology and evolutionary psychology.
Too my amazement, all these disciplines produced very similar explanations of why relationships succeed or fail. There are two variables that drive my conclusions. First, women generally make all the major decisions in a relationship. Second, once you get past all the smoke and nonsense about why relationships end you will see that women leave for one overriding reason: They fall out of love.
The takeaway of all this dictates that there is one, and only one thing men can do when it comes to relationships: Keep your partner in love with you.
Unfortunately, we are failing.
Lessons from my students
When I was teaching I would have students come in looking for help in terms of their papers and tests. Invariably, the conversation would turn to their private life’s. Usually we ended up talking about their relationships. Should I stay or should I go, should I move out, should I get a divorce? Time after time I would have these types of discussions, and when it came to men they often made bad decisions.
For example, I had a student return from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He was in school full time and not employed. He also had PTSD. His wife, the primary breadwinner, was upset with him for not having a job and kicked him out of their apartment.
The student asked me for advice. He wanted to make an immediate decision. He met someone else, and felt that he could not date her unless he filed for divorce.
He was unable to see beyond this immediate choice. I asked him “why are you in such a hurry to get a divorce? Did you know there was a study of men just like you in the cohabitation literature?” (Popenoe) People like yourself were on the verge of divorce. Some divorced, and some stayed married. Those that stayed married were happier than those that divorced.”
He replied “but I have to get divorced before I can date this other gal.”
I asked “did you leave your wife voluntarily, or did she kick you out?”
“She kicked me out”, he replied.
I responded “you fought for your country and as a consequence have PTSD...you are getting therapy and going to school full time, correct?
Your wife has, in my opinion, violated your wedding vows. Remember the part about sickness and health? As such you are no longer bound by your vows.
You do not need a divorce to date this other woman. In fact, the decision to divorce is usually made by the woman, not the man. Ultimately, she will decide if the two of you stay together.
Don’t do anything drastic. Give her time to make the decision. There is a strong possibility that she will realize that her life is better with you than without. Leaving her alone, not trying to force action may re-ignite her love for you. Women love it when men step back and let them figure things out for themselves.
In the meantime focus upon your recovery and your grades. These are the things in your life that you can control. You cannot control your wife. Leave her alone and she will decide if you stay together.
Be honest with the new woman about your situation. Let her make an informed decision about your relationship. Do not lie.”
Men today must understand that there are many things they can’t control. People, places, things...the world is going to do what the world is going to do. All you can control is how you respond. Focus on that.
Women are going to do what women are going to do. Stay out of that process. Stay in
YOUR process. You have power in that domain.
When women do things I find unacceptable, I don’t try and change that. I also do not have to accept bad behavior. I move on.
Getting good at this process gives you power. Women will fall in love with you. They will know that other women desire you. They will demand your time. They will supplicate to you for exclusivity.
These are quotes from my own experiences. “Marry me now!” “Marry me and I will suck your d!&k….twice a day every day.” “Marry me and I will buy you a Corvette.” “I want a ring on this finger.” “Marry me and I will give it to you….all!” “I don’t care if you are seeing other women, I am going to fight for you.” “Get me pregnant I will give you ten thousand dollars.”