Thursday 14 April 2016

Book Review: Conscious Men

Conscious Men
I'm sure people are familiar with Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus (#1 bestselling relationship book of all time). I think what I gleaned from that book is that we all have a different point of view. I have learned to tell hubby when I just need to vent! It works well. I don't need him to fix it, or provide solutions, just listen. It was a good book!

Conscious Men 
(Nonfiction – Men's Gender Studies, Social Science) 

This is a new one.
He has some good advice on communication (listening as well as speaking), journalling, mutual respect, both intimacy and Man Cave time. There isn't a lot that is new, here, but it is all good advice.

Gray, and co-author Arjuna Ardagh,  give guidance on changing spousal roles. It's been a long time since men have been sole breadwinners, however. I think of my client, a farm wife for most of her adult life, with 7 children. She has lived in the same farm house for 72 years. For her, life did not change much.


I do outdoor chores, and cook.
Hubby does kitchen clean-up and errands!
That is our division of labour,
as he has a bad back.
That said, it's been a long time since women went out to work (1940s, during WW II). It's been a long time that fathers have changed diapers, and had influence on their children. The division of labour in the house hasn't changed in some families. This is a book for those couples. 

I'm just not sure that the target audience, the workaholic, strong, silent man, will actually read this book. It might be helpful for couples in counseling, but women have to treat men how to treat them. In some families it is a team approach, and in others it is very stereotypical.

There are many fewer men who are workaholics, in lieu of hanging out with their kids. There are stay-at-home dads, as well. I reviewed an autobiography by one! That said, this book does examine archaic male attitudes towards women and housework, and shed light for those living in the dark! I think of hubby's comment, "I don't think smart men drive pick-up trucks." There are many men who are happy being neanderthals!




Author John Gray is the leading relationship expert in the world. His relationship and health books have sold over 50 million copies in 50 different languages. His new book, Conscious Men guides a man to look within and discover his purpose and mission; to be in touch with his feelings but not ruled by his feelings; to live a life that is in pursuit of his path, while honoring the commitments he made during that pursuit. This book is a practical road-map to support every man to discover and live his unique calling.

5 comments:

William Kendall said...

I think I'd have to agree with your husband about guys with pick up trucks!

Red said...

Men are from Mars...was one of my favorite books. I certainly learned a few things and applied them to teaching.

Crafty Green Poet said...

sounds like an interesting book.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh, some very smart men drive pickup trucks! Bill drove one for years -- for camping and later for pulling our RV, but it was also our second car, so he used it daily. And he has always helped with chores ever since our kids were little back in the last century ;>). I do think every couple needs to work out the chore division for their unique circumstances. Once our kids were grown and gone we had to think through the process again. Because it was important to us to teach them (boys and girls) to be responsible and to have practical household knowledge. They actually helped a lot (in a two-earner family) when they were old enough.

The Furry Gnome said...

Sounds like a useful book. I enjoyed the'Venus/Mars' book too, and we've always divided the chores and still do, but it changing as we get older and wiser!