Cynthia S. Smith

This updated version of "Why Women Shouldn't Marry" by the mother/daughter team of Cyntia S. & Hillary B. Smith should be required reading for all women in high school and again in college! Far from a feminist manifesto, this book calmly and concisely lays out the reasons FOR marriage. But it goes further by exposing the WRONG reasons to marry and why 'soul-mates' and 'biological imperatives' are about the worst reasons possible to marry.

The book contains hundreds of interviews with women of all marital status. They speak honestly and bluntly about their lives, their failures, and their successes both WITH and WITHOUT a spouse or significant other.

Although happily married for 20 years, I certainly wish I had read this book as it could also be used as a handbook on what mistakes NOT to make in a marriage. Why the phrase 'He makes me happy' is illogical as being happy comes from within...not from another person.

I think the best idea in this book, while not necessarily explicitly stated, is that today a woman can be confident, secure, and established on her own. For what's really the first time in history there's no real physical, financial, or emotional NEED to marry. It's a decision that each woman must make on her own...and for the right reasons.… (meer)

Why Women Shouldn't Marry: Being Single by Choice
By Cynthia S. Smith & Hillary B. Smith
214 pp. Barricade Books $15.95

This is an updated edition to a 1988 publication. While decently written (although occasionally in an annoying third-person) with good premises, it's difficult to fathom the market for this book in 2008.

The woman who needed an answer to the book's question in 1988 is not the one who will need it in 2008 -- indeed, does anyone? Where is a woman's right to decline marriage, or even the assumption, questioned anymore?

Further, the newly single of 2008 probably has the answer she wants (yes or no) based on 20 years of her own, personal experience since the first edition.

In short, the book describes valid information but limited in scope (a too large majority of the example women are far above average in income, etc.) and presented in predictable manner. If I thought my friend/daughter/self might be considering marriage for misguided reasons, this is not the book to convince her otherwise. It is the book to convince the happily single that they are.… (meer)