Spousework: Partners Supporting Academic Leaders

"It's a privileged life with great potential, but if you don't keep the upper hand it feels like you've taken a wild animal into your home," says Teresa Oden, whose husband has been leading academic institutions for eighteen years. Although the spouses are a disparate bunch, Oden maintains that they share a desire to support their leader-partners. It's no simple task. "The institution is so closely entwined with the leader's life that it practically becomes a third partner in the marriage. The spouse must learn to negotiate with that fact." Oden discusses the ways in which supporting a leader-partner differs from traditional helpmate roles. She examines the reasons for lingering expectations-why female spouses in particular are still expected to volunteer their time to the leaders' careers-as well as the special concerns of male spouses. A self-described introvert who needs a lot of privacy, Oden admits that her adjustment to life as the leader's spouse was difficult. "Today I can honestly say that there are parts of my role that I treasure. I found my way, but I felt the lack of a book that spoke to my experience."

Author: Teresa Johnston Oden
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 07/03/2007
Pages: 104
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.36lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9780595456093

This title is not returnable