The Happiest Wives?

[pthalomarie]

In another thread, I made a statement that us liberals can't simply argue issues based on research, studies, etc, because conservatives have their own set of studies they're pointing to. a lot of these studies are propaganda, but they're still packaged very smoothly.

Anyhow, I found this site: http://www.happiestwives.org/ which illustrates my point well.

A few quotes from the site:

"What Makes Women Happy in Their Marriages?

The top predictors of women’s marital happiness, in order of importance:

1.A husband’s emotional engagement.
2. Fairness.
3. A breadwinning husband.
4. A commitment to marriage.
5. Staying at home.
6. Shared religious attendance.
7. Traditional gender attitudes.

Question A. Does this study apply to more feminist-minded women?

Yes. In a companion study , W. Bradford Wilcox looked at marital happiness among women who had more progressive gender attitudes about the division of work and family, and who expressed support for working wives. Even women in this sample tended to be happier if they did not work outside the home, had a husband who took the lead in breadwinning, and/or shared a strong commitment to the norm of lifelong marriage."

Now, my point is not to say that this research is "correct." My point is that we live in an era of postmodern science; people cherry pick those studies they wish to be true in a more active manner than they used to. If they don't want to believe in feminism, there's enough "alternative science" to validate their assumptions.

It almost doesn't matter which studies are valid. In a perverse way, those studies the culture most readily embraces are the ones that become "true."

[The Straight Story]

1. The most valid studies

are those that you agree with :)

[slackmaster]

2. Spinning and cherry-picking results one likes are as old as science itself

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2239108&mesg_id=2239108

And it's not just conservatives who do it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2227143

[BlueEyedSon]

3. "Lies, damned lies and statistics"

[unblock]

4. excellent statistical point regarding "cherry picking"

most statistical studies are done to a 95% confidence level. which means that 19 times out of 20, the result found in the study's sample will be in the same range as the result in the general population.

but one time in 20 the result will be wrong.


so obviously, you can run about 20 tests and pick out the one with the "wrong" result, and throw the other 19 studies in the trash can.

the tobacco institute loved this technique.

[babylonsister]

5. What's a non-traditional gender attitude, a spouse that

cross dresses? A husband that likes to knit? A wife who wrestles as a hobby? Just askin'...

I put high regard into respect for each other, though I suppose that could
fall into the 'fairness' category.

[Avalux]

6. Pandering bullshit of course and it does have an audience.

Look - strictly based on the design of scientific research, there's no way one can measure happiness, and the reasons given are at best ambiguous. However those who subscribe to the idea that women must get their happiness from marriage/spouse, this little crap study will validate their life. Women are happier if they did not work outside the home?? Please.

Try to tell them happiness comes from within one's self. :crazy:

[gollygee]

7. what is the scientific definition of "happy" they're using for this

"scientific" study?

Asking a bunch of women at their churches if they're happy?

[Midlodemocrat]

8. Locking.

The original poster is no longer among us. We sent her back to 'Happy Wives' Land.

Thank you.

DU Moderator.