SPOUSEWORK: Partners Supporting Academic Leaders - Softcover

Oden, Teresa

Softcover

ISBN 10: 059545609X ISBN 13: 9780595456093

Publisher: iUniverse, 2007

Synopsis

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."

About this title

About the Author

Teresa Johnston Oden is a researcher and writer whose special interest is local history. Her husband?s career as an academic leader introduced her to the complex and little-understood world of the leader?s spouse. Oden is the mother of two children and lives with her husband in Northfield, Minnesota.

Edition details

• Publisher: iUniverse
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 059545609X
• ISBN 13: 9780595456093
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 100