Anyone in his or her right mind would love to have a person, preferably
attractive, hanging on their every word, waiting on them hand and foot, and willing
to do anything to please them, always with a stunning smile across his or her happy
and eager face.  Sure, Brady's picture of a wife's role is exaggerated, we know it and
she knows it.  The point is that what she "wants  in a wife", is, for most people, the
perfect picture of what a Donna Reed-esque wife should and aspires to be.  Why
don't we admire wives who are career oriented and don't dote on their husbands and
children day and night?  It's because we still have this romantic idea that our
families should mirror the Cleaver's and that everyone will be content in their
meager little roles.  I bet no one ever asked June if she was happy.  How could she
have been?  She never left the house.
     Although Brady's essay probably rang more true in 1971 when it was written,
it's important to remember the mentality of men in days past in order to avoid them
now.  Some men have  evolved into more advanced primates, but beware of those
big, hairy, chauvinists who like to call themselves men.  If women were in the more
powerful position and men were taken for granted and walked all over, you'd better
believe we'd take full advantage of the benefits.  It's human nature.  But we can't
allow it to continue or we'll always be at odds.  In this chaos, at least a husband and
wife should be rooting for the same team.
     When it comes down to it, men are hypocrites.  They say they want a wife
who's virginal and independent with a brilliant mind.  Yeah, right.  What they really
want is a sexual dynamo, a woman who has dinner waiting for them, and who is
constantly stroking their ego.  And, really, who needs a wife who has any
intelligence.  As long as they can read recipes and ask questions about football, life
is grand.  While this does not ring true for all men, no one can convince any realistic
woman that if it were socially acceptable in this day and age, that any man would
jump at the chance to be a successful business man with a gorgeous and caring wife
at home, who then paints the town red, moonlighting as Don Juan.
     What about the woman who wants a husband?  Yes, I definitely want a
husband.  My husband would work all day, tirelessly, then come home with a dozen
roses and whisk me off to the Ritz for Lobster and Dom Perignon.  Of course, this is
after my hard day of shopping with good 'ol hubby's platinum cards, buying
everything to my heart's content.  Obviously, I wouldn't work, rather, I'd be a career
student.  I'd take art and literature classes and any subject that caught my fancy.  My
hubby would be so proud, and live for my happiness.  He'd always know just what
to say and compliment me at just the right moments.  Oh, he'd be so understanding.
     I would plan all of our vacations and my hubby would hire people for the
entertaining and upkeep of our beautiful villa overlooking the ocean.  Now, life
wouldn't be all fun and games.  I'd have to raise and discipline our two children, that
is, with the help of our nanny.  How lucky I'd be to have such sweet and well-
behaved children.  Life would be perfect.
     Well, is this really what women want out of life?  I'd have to guess that, sure,
some would kill for this existence, but most of us would find it meaningless and
ridiculous.  This goes to show how unrealistic men's expectations of women are. 
They want it all.  Women are content with having half the characteristics of a
perfect relationship.  What's perfect anyway?  There's probably no such thing. 
Women are just striving for equality, not to be looked at as  mindless caretakers.
     O.K., men, it's time for your rebuttal.  "That's not true at all."  "Sounds like
male-bashing to me."  "My wife and I are complete equals."  In response, I must
laugh.  Times they are a' changin', women are accomplishing their goals, maintaining
prominent and powerful roles, while still raising a healthy family.  Man, these
women are superheroes.  The meaning of family has changed drastically since the
Cunningham era.  Now we have the families of Beverly Hills 90210 and The Young
and the Restless.  Uh-oh, I think we're in big trouble.