NYT: Obama's date night makes folks jealous (and puts extra pressure on husbands). LOL!

[gauguin57]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/fashion/07romance.html?_r=1

-snip-

... Elbowed sharply in the side, husbands felt betrayed by the commander in chief. On “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart reviewed the Obamas’ glamorous foray and screeched, “How do you compete with that?” He warned Mr. Obama, “Take it down a notch, dude!”

But relationship experts are applauding the first couple for giving life to the modern fantasy that longtime spouses can still be passionate about each other. Intentionally or not, the Obamas have become ambassadors for date night, a term that is a creature of these times. A generation ago, when Saturday night rolled around, parents simply went out. Now parents need to be prodded to date each other, as if they’re singles: take a break from the children, already!

“The Obamas really are products of the culture,” said Christine B. Whelan, a sociologist at the University of Iowa who studies the American family. The Obamas exemplify what sociologists call the “individualized marriage,” she added, where a thriving relationship is marked by love and mutual attraction, not just duty to family and social roles.

“As a society, we want to think a husband might still have his hand on his wife’s knee under the table after 15 years of marriage,” said Dr. Whelan, author of “Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women.” “That’s not necessarily bad, but it adds extra pressure.” ...

[JI7]

1. didn't some idiot say that Obama should just take Michelle to a bar ?

[Kajsa]

3. That would be an idiot

who makes that statement!

:eyes:

[camera obscura]

4. It was Rick Santorum, making "idiot" redundant since 1994

[Teaser]

2. "That’s not necessarily bad"

yeah, actually it's good.

relationship expert fail.

[Bluenorthwest]

5. While the personality stories usually hold no interest for me

The Broadway date night was one of the best 'non political' things I've seen a President do in years. And I don't even see it as exactly just a story about 'date night'. Anyone that teaches Americans that it is cool to go see a play is doing a service to our culture, as I see it. How many people will think about seeing a play for the first time because of the Obamas? There will be many. Many of those will actually buy a ticket and go see one.
If ten Americans become aware of the works of August Wilson that alone is a wonderful thing. If ten Americans get into the habit of seeing plays, or dance performances, or attending other 'cultural events', it is beyond wonderful. There has rarely been a better spotlight put on the Theater, the American Theater in particular.
Next I'd like to see them attend some of our country's great regional theaters, and put butts in those seats as well.
Aside from the example set, it pleased me to no end to know that the President of the United States was thinking about Mr Wilson's words for an hour or two, that he has the ability to really hear those words, and that he and Michelle would be talking about that play.
I love the theater, so that date night made me an Obama fan boy for a night. If it were up to me, all Presidents would be required to attend such events on a regular basis, for the good of our cultural institutions and also for the good of the President's state of mind.

[JerseygirlCT]

7. Can I just say amen?

To all of that.

[Beacool]

6. Date night is not an uncommon event.

Every couple I know goes out on the town on a regular basis. They either get a family member or a baby sitter to take care of the kids. Furthermore, ALL couples should do it to preserve their marriage. Kudos to the Obamas for managing to make time for themselves.

BTW, dinner and a Broadway show is a pretty common occurrence in NY.

:-)

[Cha]

8. This is IT!

"... Elbowed sharply in the side, husbands felt betrayed by the commander in chief. On “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart reviewed the Obamas’ glamorous foray and screeched, “How do you compete with that?” He warned Mr. Obama, “Take it down a notch, dude!”