Daring Wives: Insight into Women's Desires for Extramarital Affairs

200 Pages·2006·0.63 MB·English

by  Frances Cohen Praver

Daring Wives

Daring Wives
INSIGHT INTO
WOMEN’S DESIRES FOR EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS
FRANCES COHEN PRAVER
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Praver, Frances Cohen, 1937–
Daringwives:insightintowomen’sdesiresforextramaritalaffairs/FrancesCohen
Praver.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0–275–98813–9 (alk. paper)
1. Adultery—United States. 2. Wives—United States—Sexual behavior.
3. Married women—United States—Psychology. I. Title.
HQ806.P74 2006
306.73'6—dc22 2005034802
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available.
Copyright (cid:1) 2006 by Frances Cohen Praver
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be
reproduced, by any process or technique, without the
express written consent of the publisher.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2005034802
ISBN: 0–275–98813–9
First published in 2006
Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881
An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.
www.praeger.com
Printed in the United States of America
The paper used in this book complies with the
Permanent Paper Standard issued by the National
Information Standards Organization (Z39.48–1984).
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
To all of the wives who dare to err,
repair, and create change

Contents
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction xi
1 Out of the Closet 1
2 Drastic Double Standards and Daring Wives 13
3 What a Difference a Century Makes 27
4 Not So Sweet Home 41
5 Wanderlust While They Work 63
6 Young and Restless 81
7 Older and Bolder 97
8 Remarriages and Regrets 111
9 Same-Sex Affairs 123
10 Sex Goes Awry 137
11 Conclusion 157
Notes 165
Index 175

Acknowledgments
The diverse influences on the writing of this book are multiple, stemming
from various directions—personal, sociopolitical, and professional. The first
influence began before I was born. As youngsters, my parents, Bessie, and
SamfledtheNazisinEasternEuropeforthepromiseoffreedominCanada.
They were daring, indeed.
The sociopolitical climate of the sixties—the era of change and Second
WaveFeminism—hadaprofoundinfluenceonmysensibilities.Iamindebtedto
so many daring women who spearheaded the movement and changed the
consciousness of a world. I stand on the shoulders of these daring women.
In a very early phase of our relationship, my husband Bob had faith in
me.Hedaredtosupportmyquestforhigherlearningandintellectualthought.
My son Leland has supported my creative and loving sides, just as he dares
to be true to his own creative and loving sides. I am fortunate to be the
sister of Dorothy—a woman who dares to challenge herself to grow daily.
I have also been supported and loved by my women friends—all daring,
unique women with diverse voices.
My psychoanalyst, Dr. Roberta Jelineck, has seen me through many a
tryingtime,encouragingmetodaretohavemyownvoice.DebbieCarvalko,
my editor, not only dared to give me a green light to say it like it is, but
hassupportedmyworkwithenthusiasmandzeal.Dr.LewAronhasgener-
ously shared his vast insights into relational psychoanalysis and the human
condition of love. I am honored to have him support my work.
Mostimportant, Iwantto thankall thedaring wivesinmy practicewho
dared to share their stories with me. It is not easy. My hat goes off to their
daring and often painful efforts to gain insight for repair of themselves and
their relationships.