Spousework

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.</P>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.</P>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.</P>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.</P>