Women with Alcoholic Husbands : Ambivalence and the Trap of Codependency

In this important study of women with alcoholic husbands, Asher vividly describes the process of coming to terms with a profound crisis in one's private life. From interviews with more than fifty women, all of whom were participants in family treatment programs, she assembles a composite picture of the experiences shared by wives of alcoholics. The testimony given by these women illustrates the steps they must take to regain control of their lives. The first step is figuring out what is happening and deciding what to do about it. Asher argues that the vogue of using the label "codependent" may actually hinder rather than facilitate emotional health. Led to think of themselves as addicted to their husbands' addictions the wives of alcoholics may be persuaded that their own problems can't be overcome. But, Asher shows, these women can take command of their lives. Originally published in 1992. A UNC Press Enduring Edition -- UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value. In This Important New Study Of Women With Alcoholic Husbands, Sociologist Ramona Asher Vividly Describes The Process Of Coming To Terms With A Profound Crisis In One's Private Life. Her Interviews With More Than Fifty Women, All Participants In Family Treatment Programs, Enabled Asher To Assemble A Composite Picture Of The Experiences Shared By Wives Of Alcoholics. How They Came To See The Crisis In Their Lives, And How They Began To Recognize Their Own Very Mixed Emotions--that Is The Dramatic Story Asher Presents. The Testimony Given By These Women Illustrates The Steps Each Must Take To Regain Hold Of Her Life. The First Step, As Asher Shows, Is Confronting Definitional Ambivalence--figuring Out What Is Happening And Deciding What To Do About It. Asher Argues That The Current Vogue Of Using The Label Dependent May Actually Hinder Rather Than Facilitate Emotional Health. Because The Concept Of Codependency Reinforces The Idea That Women Are Compulsively Vulnerable To Men In Need Of Nurturing, Asher Argues That It Prompts Women To Feel Incapable Of Becoming Assertive, Independent Individuals. Led To Think Of Themselves As Addicted To Their Husbands' Addiction, The Wives Of Alcoholics May Be Persuaded That Their Own Problems Can't Be Overcome. Asher Shows That They Can Take Command Of Their Lives. Asher's Analysis Breaks Through Popular Notions About Wives Of Alcoholics And Presents A Whole New Understanding Of Denial, Control, And Other So-called Symptoms Of Codependency. Her Book Raises Important Questions About How Society Views Women Who Are Married To Alcoholics. Introduction: Outlining The Moral Career -- Pt. 1. The Early Problem Phase. 1. Recognizing The Ambivalence -- Pt. 2. The Problem Amplification Phase. 2. Sorting The Ambivalence: Acknowledging. 3. Sorting The Ambivalence: Valuating. 4. Sorting The Ambivalence: Personalizing Experiences And Sentiments. 5. Sorting The Ambivalence: Personalizing Stances. 6. Notes On Maintaining The Ambivalence -- Pt. 3. The Proximal Treatment Phase. 7. Limiting The Ambivalence And Entering Treatment. 8. Depersonalizing The Ambivalence -- Pt. 4. The Post-treatment Phase. 9. Transforming The Ambivalence -- Conclusion: Sociological Insights, Implications, And Speculation -- Appendix: Research Design And Methods. Ramona M. Asher. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 213-217) And Index. In this important new study of women with alcoholic husbands, sociologist Ramona Asher vividly describes the process of coming to terms with a profound crisis in one's private life. Her interviews with more than fifty women, all participants in family treatment programs, enabled Asher to assemble a composite picture of the experiences shared by wives of alcoholics. How they came to see the crisis in their lives, and how they began to recognize their own very mixed emotions--that is the dramatic story Asher presents. The testimony given by these women illustrates the steps each must take to regain hold of her life. The first step, as Asher shows, is confronting definitional ambivalence-- figuring out what is happening and deciding what to do about it. Asher argues that the current vogue of using the label dependent may actually hinder rather than facilitate emotional health. Because the concept of codependency reinforces the idea that women are compulsively vulnerable to men in need of nurturing, Asher argues that it prompts women to feel incapable of becoming assertive, independent individuals. Led to think of themselves as addicted to their husbands' addiction, the wives of alcoholics may be persuaded that their own problems can't be overcome. Asher shows that they can take command of their lives. Asher's analysis breaks through popular notions about wives of alcoholics and presents a whole new understanding of denial, control, and other so-called symptoms of codependency. Her book raises important questions about how society views women who are married to alcoholics.

In this important new study of women with alcoholic husbands, Ramona Asher describes the process of coming to terms with a profound crisis in one's life. Her analysis breaks through popular notions about wives of alcoholics and presents a whole new understanding of denial, control, and other so-called symptoms of codependency. Table of Contents: The Early Problem Phase; The Problem Amplification Phase; The Proximal Treatment Phase; The Post-Treatment Phase; Conclusion: Sociological Insights, Implications, and Speculation.

Drawn from the direct testimony provided by women in their letters, diaries, and legal records, this text describes women's participation in the American Revolution, evaluates changes in their education in the late 18th century and analyzes their status in law and society.