© Copyright 2004 The Christian Science Monitor
By Marilyn Gardner
It's a little secret so many women share: They don't want the men in their lives to know how much they spend on clothes.
... Some of that reluctance may be rooted in cultural changes. Prior to the 1960s, when most women were homemakers, a notion of entitlement prevailed, says Samantha von Sperling, director of Polished Social Image Consultants in Boston. "You got married and took care of your husband, the children, the house. Your husband took care of you. The understanding was that he paid the bills and provided for the family. The wife was expected to represent the husband, so he would make an investment in her. His wife was a reflection of him and his ability to provide."
By the 1970s, as legions of women embarked on careers, domestic roles and expectations shifted. Now, Ms. von Sperling says, even though women have more power, their sense of self-worth and entitlement sometimes appears to have diminished. "They'll spend money on themselves, but they'll still feel guilty." ...
... Whatever the dynamics of a relationship, von Sperling says, "It's important for women to invest in themselves, whether it's a foreign-language class, a cooking class, or a new suit. Anything that enhances you in a positive way is worth it. Then you have more power to go out and invest in other people around you."...
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Living > Family / Parenting from the August 11, 2004 edition
© Copyright 2004 The Christian Science Monitor