Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections and Restoring Relationships [Hardcover]

Will Miller (Author), Glenn Sparks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 5, 2002

This important book explores the metaphorical message that "refrigerator rights" stands for the kind of closeness we have with people in our lives-friends, family, spouses. How many people can walk into our homes and just open up the fridge and help themselves? Only the people closest to us. Dr. Will Miller with Glenn Sparks, Ph.D. propose that most of us have very few people in our lives that can do this. They identify three factors that contribute to the lack of intimate connections we have with people: increased mobility away from our extended family, emphasis on individualism, and emotionally numbing media distractions.

Advocating a change of lifestyle to create essential relationships, this book offers specific suggestions for:

€ Reaching out beyond one's immediate family
€ Balancing self-care and care for others
€ Re-establishing vital social networks

This timely, important book shows readers how to break out of their isolation booths to create the kind of relationships that strengthen, support, and satisfy their souls.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Therapist Miller and media expert Sparks put another twist on the oft-lamented problem of the impersonal modern world by analyzing how our "isolation culture" affects our relationships with the friends and family who are close enough to have so-called refrigerator rights. This odd-sounding label refers to people who can comfortably open each other's refrigerators, scan the contents and then help themselves, all without breaching etiquette. It's a homey symbol for a relationship that has crossed a critical line of intimacy. The authors explore how unfortunate contemporary realities-frequent relocations, obsessive focus on careers and too much time spent with electronic media-can erode these relationships. They offer guidance on how to reverse this trend and nurture such crucial associations. Though the book is somewhat repetitive and occasionally swerves dangerously close to hokey, Miller and Sparks call attention to an important issue.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dr. Will Miller is a therapist, ordained minister, corporate speaker, standup comedian and leading cultural analyst. He was the on-air spokesperson for "Nick-At-Nite" for five years and also hosted the NBC show "The Other Side." He is a regular guest lecturer at Purdue University and lives with his wife, Dr. Sally Miller.

Glenn Sparks, Ph.D., is a professor and noted researcher of Mass Communication at Purdue University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; First Edition edition (November 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039952830X
• ISBN-13: 978-0399528309
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #359,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am stunned and amazed, December 26, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections and Restoring Relationships (Hardcover)

I went to a book signing where the authors were available for questions, and they gave a little presentation based on the ideas presented in "Refrigerator Rights". My first thought, "What a goofy title to a book"! I understand now the reason for the silly title, it makes a difficult and painful topic more palatable to a deadened soul. I never really saw just how far I've gotten from where I should be in this culture. The book does a great job of showing how our culture of silly amusement, me-centered living, and technology have thwarted our ability to relate to others intimately. Basically, I never realized just how much I suck. It gives the reader a clear diagnosis of how messed up he/she is. I realize now why I don't have real lasting peace in my life. I see that I need refrigerator rights. My life has been changed forever.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful, life-altering read, November 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections and Restoring Relationships (Hardcover)

I don't read self-help books, but I read this one because of an interview with Dr. Miller that I saw in a magazine. It has changed my perspective on my life, my friendships and my family. HIghly recommended.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book can change a lot of lives!, November 7, 2002

By 

Mark (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Refrigerator Rights: Creating Connections and Restoring Relationships (Hardcover)

Everyone will find themselves in this important book. I have watched for years as the self-help "book du jour came" and went. Each would supposedly help people lose weight, save money, have a better marriage, get ahead at work, or achieve any of a number of other personal goals. And we all learned quickly that they NEVER WORK! "Refrigerator Rights" approaches the issues of personal happiness and fulfillment from a completely new angle, proposing convincingly that our contemporary lifestyle and culture has caused us to lose the wide range of extremely close relationships that our ancestors had enjoyed. Whether it is due to relocation for career, busy lifestyle or estrangement from those close to us, we never make the effort to replace those "Refrigerator Rights" relationships when we lose them. This has caused a whole host of problems for us as individuals and as a a society. I won't go into detail here - you need to read this book. It is a quick read, peppered with humor and some of Dr. Miller's personal anecdotes. I have already started to promote more "Refrigerator Rights" relationships in my life.