Meet Dixie Andelin Forsyth of Fascinating Womanhood
Ladies, please welcome Mrs. Dixie Andelin Forsyth to The Not-So Desperate Housewives today! Mrs. Dixie Andelin Forsyth is the daughter of Mrs. Helen Andelin, founder of the Fascinating Womanhood movement and author of the original book published in 1963.
It’s such a pleasure to have you with us, Mrs. Forsyth! It seems that the term or hashtag “tradwife” has gone viral in the last few days and with it the Fascinating Womanhood movement and books. Could you explain how Fascinating Womanhood came about?
Thank you for having me! First, I’d like to say that though the tradwife movement seems to emulate or fantasize women’s role in the 50’s, in reality, women then were not that happy. I think the idea of that generation seems happier to many women today, and that’s okay, but it’s still good to know the truth.
That’s why, out of that period of time—starting in the 60’s, second wave feminism came about. My mother’s original book, Fascinating Womanhood came out almost at the same time as answers to this unhappiness. One reason women were so unhappy is frankly, there are some bad men out there.
There are great ones too, but the bad ones, in my opinion, made it unbearable for enough women that the backlash of second wave feminism became very strong during that time. My heart goes out to women everywhere who are suffering under the oppression of some of these men who give the majority of men a bad name.
My mother’s marriage was stable but not what she had dreamed of. She researched, studied, and prayed a lot and soon had enough information that she began teaching classes—before she wrote her book. Soon, women began to beg her to write it all down in a book so she did. That’s how F.W. was born. Then as she got older and my father passed away, she wasn’t as active.
After she died in 2009 F.W. passed to me. She had asked me to update and edit her book for dated information in it. I did that to her three books and those are now listed as Vintage editions.
In about three weeks her classic book is going to be going out of print as she didn’t want it to continue as it is anymore. But it was printed in seven languages and we have followings in several countries around the world. But we are looking forward to much more growth as this message is more needed now than ever.
What do you think of the critics who say that “submission” equals servitude or slavery and that these traditional views are archaic or even dangerous?
Well, the term “submission” is one that invokes in many people the idea of “master/slave” relationship. For that reason, we don’t use it anymore. A better term would be “sustain”—or support.
It gives off the wrong message of Fascinating Womanhood which teaches that the best, most enduring and romantic relationships are those where there is mutual respect and admiration though differing strengths and roles. The couples who learn this are true “power couples” in the best sense of the phrase.
When you have a relationship where the man and woman adore each other, and want each other to be happy, that’s where you have a lifelong love affair. Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless Woman shows women what we can do to achieve this. And our power in this area is so much greater than most of us have any idea of. But it’s feminine power; not masculine power.
What is the best way to get acquainted with Fascinating Womanhood? In which order should the books be read?
That’s an interesting question. For those who really want to “get into it” I’d suggest Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless Woman as it’s the newest and most up to date. It also is for married as well as single women and is the most comprehensive of the books.
But if you’d like a thorough education, please read Fascinating Womanhood, Vintage Edition and The Fascinating Girl, Vintage Edition if you are single as a backup. These books are more basic. But many women are limited with time as well as money and so that’s why I’d recommend “Timeless” first. And Timeless is the only one in audio book form too.
How can Fascinating Womanhood improve a woman’s self-esteem and marriage?
The second chapter in Fascinating Womanhood for the Timeless Woman is called “Your Limitless Worth” and it outlines how valuable women are to this world, whether you ever have a child or not. This can raise your self-esteem right away as you understand why being not only female, but a feminine woman, has such power in this world. We are the gatekeepers of civilization while men are the protectors, primary providers, and organizers of civilization.
Do you think the principles of Fascinating Womanhood are more relevant today than ever?
Yes. More than ever before in the history of this world. We have more information today than we’ve ever had before and more ability to understand the true power and influence women have.
If civilization is to be saved long term, it will be women who will be responsible for it. It’s sad that so many women still think that emulating men or trying to copy the advantages we think they have will actually make us happy.
Today women are more unhappy than ever before in recent history. There are more suicides, depression, and break-ups than ever; more crime, more misery. It’s not more laws that are going to fix this. It’s better, happier people and women are the key.
I hope you enjoyed learning more about Fascinating Womanhood!
P.S. If you’d like to hear from Dixie’s husband, (neuropsychologist Dr. Robert Forsyth) read The Not-So Desperate Husbands.
Until next time,
xoxo, Mrs. Hannover
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