Customer Reviews

Permission to Prosper: What Working Wives Crave from Their Husbands--And How to Get It

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Azriela goes beyond political correctness and leaves the reader with thoughtful perspectives about the struggle for individuality within a marriage. We all want to realize our potential as individuals, but being part of a couple means that unilateral decisions can be harmful to the marriage. The beauty of this book is not in its warnings that "permission" to prosper is necessary for women who join the work force--but rather in its inspirational message that your relationship with your husband can dramatically improve in the process. She gives step-by-step instructions in attaining this goal. Permission to Prosper is well researched, and told lovingly by an author who guides her reader to a better work life and a better love life. Bonus: Introduction by blockbuster author Michelle Weiner-Davis

I'll admit that I bought this book with some trepidation... Permission? Who says I might need my husband's "permission" for something?! But after reading it, I agree with Azriela and see that there is much here I could use in my own marriage. True, my husband takes pride in my accomplishments and gives me encouragement. He is delighted by the income that I bring in. But he also expects me to work my career in and around my family obligations in a way that he doesn't feel he has to with his career. And he doesn't always seem comfortable with the idea of business travel that leaves him in charge of the household. I can see we have a lot of communicating to do on these points before he truly "buys in" at a deeper level to the idea of me prospering! Thanks for the insight, Azriela Jaffe!

I've been working with a lot of salespeople recently on issues of self-sabotoge. All those little ways we undermine our own prosperity. As a result, I began doing a lot of research into the subject, and in the course of my research I stumbled across a new book that takes on a controversial subject: our deep-seated need to have permission to prosper. I knew, when I read this quote from Azriela Jaffe's new book, Permission to Prosper, that this was a book that was destined for greatness:

"To prosper, a woman needs her own permission more than anyone else's."

This book offers up some breakthrough guidance that's applicable to every prospering woman I know -- and the spouses and family members they turn to for support. You may find that this topic brings up a strong emotional reaction in you. Make a note of what comes up for you and keep moving forward toward creating the business, or the career success you truly desire!

I'm positive that Permission to Prosper is the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" of the publishing industry. It won't be long before everyone is talking about it. Here's why:

"Permission to prosper is not about the husband's right to control his wife; it is about the expectation of involvement in the life choices of your spouse, male or female.

"A wife can succeed without her husband's active support, but it's like hiking alone up a mountain with a backpack full of rocks. Wouldn't you rather picture yourself running a marathon while your husband cheers you on from the sidelines, handing you water bottles and snacks along the way and greeting you with a warm hug and a smile at the finish line. If a wife believes that her husband can't endorse her career success, she may unconsciously (or deliberately) sabotage her career, because even in this modern feminist age, most married women value marriage and family over all other aspects of their lives."

Read this book. Then give it to your spouse to read, or simply start implementing the strategies Az gives you -- either way,
you'll create a win-win situation.

The author writes for a computer online site called Fortune Small Business, a column "Balancing Act." Mostly, she counsels working wives on being subservient to their husbands. If I didn't know better, I'd say she is a devout Baptist.

Whoever would have even thought she need "permission to prosper," especially from a demanding husband. One good point she made is that single people are independent, as they eat what they want and when they choose, and have an entire bed to themselves. So do many modern families (or couples) as I've observed personally by being dumbfounded at how much the men in their 40s are under the thumb of dominant wives and have to prepare their own meals (sometimes also the children's) whether the mother is working outside the home or otherwise. He must help with the child rearing and cleaning, and give his permission to succeed. Just don't make more than he!

But a woman alone cannot prosper no matter how powerful, as she needs a man who offers emotional support. To my mind, a poor woman can succeed but not prosper. Why? Simply because two incomes make all the difference, not just being submissive to a man you love. If he becomes too demanding, you soon learn 'not to love,' and that's one of the reasons divorce is at an all-time high. The glow of being in love wears off if the woman has to 'ask permission' to do anything. That's like being in school where you have to ask permission from your teachers to do anything. Whatever happened to women's lib?

Craving something and obtaining it are two different things. Sometimes we have to work a little harder to obtain our goals, but letting a house husband make decisions we can prosper or not is absolute nonsense.

This book was written as a rebuttal to this silly idea she blithely set forth in one of her FSB online columns -- which ignited an uproar from other 'successful' working wives who felt the ridiculousness of the Biblical lore that the husband is your 'lord and master.' Ha.

A working woman can walk out of a bad marriage, but so can an independent-thinker who refuses to bow down to a man just because he shares her bed, even if she is poor. Granted, she won't "prosper" all alone but she doesn't have to sacrifice her dignity. No marriage partner should be a 'slave' whatever sex.

I've seen rich people with more money than they know what to do with; they continue to live together in a loveless marriage to keep the high level of living, but are they happy? I doubt it. When you're young like Mrs. Jaffe, love in a marriage means it is a success. In twenty years, I'd like for her to do a follow up to let us know how "seeking permission" worked, or didn't work.

Things change and people change during the diverse phases of life. After the empty-nest syndrom, which she has yet to experience, oft times the couple drift apart. If they are content with the status quo and leading separate personal lives, so be it.

It's more a partnership to share a nice house and "prosperous" environment and go separate ways. Politics make strange bed-fellows. At least, she realizes that stress is present even in good times.

I'm glad her loyal readers rebelled enough for the research she accumulated as listed in the bibliography, but I thought it strange that she listed three of her own books as references. She should have delved deeper for the women writers who disagree with her concept. Love and marriage is not a black & white 'fantasy' but a job in itself, if done right. "She can soar without him -- maybe even in spite of him -- but with him is definitely better." How odd.