No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveIn praise of wives

In praise of wives

Jack O’Brien

Jack O’Brien

I feel sad for gay males who marry other gay males under the new law, because they are denying themselves a starring role in the greatest show on Earth: The Battle of the Sexes.

Were it not for our wives helpfully reminding us from time to time to demand a higher salary, to move to a classier neighborhood or to send the kids to a better school, we males would still be in caveland throwing rocks at saber-toothed tigers for supper. It’s not that we are unalterably opposed to progress; it’s just that our womenfolk, being the ones who have to actually manufacture the new and improved models, are naturally keen to give them the best possible chance in life. In other words, they believe that change, and particularly progressive change, is an undeniable Human Right to be granted no later than midnight tonight, while we men believe it should wait until next week or; better next year.

So the question is, with attitudes like that, how did we ever manage to leapfrog over our cousins the earthworm, the warthog and every one of the great apes to reach our present pinnacle of perfection, while they remained stuck in the same old groove. The answer is so obvious that it scarcely bears repeating, but I shall nevertheless repeat it in case you missed Cosmology 101. The slow rotation of the Galaxy carries our solar system far to the north side every 220 million years where, unprotected by the main bulk of the galaxy, it is exposed to the fierce ionizing radiation put out by the Virgo Cluster. In consequence, there are regular mass extinctions of those unprepared for the deadly onslaught, and a vastly increased mutation rate in the germ plasm of the survivors. Thereafter, all manner of strange beasts are born, the majority of which are sterile or unsuited to the new conditions.

But just now and again a radiation-resistant animal develops and that grand old regulator, Natural Selection, takes over and propels the new model over the heads of the less fortunate, hence us. So where does that get us? Well, mainly it gets us another 220 million years to consolidate our position and during that time Woman learned to talk and Man learned to hold his tongue, permitting her to invent outrageous concepts such as monogamy, ranch housing and the prenup.

Men protested from time to time, in what is called the Battle of the Sexes, though only up to the point where the dread phrase Denial of Conjugal Rights was uttered, after which all resistance ceased abruptly and both parties withdrew to go over designs for new and improved models.

I know it is hard to imagine any improvement over the current models, but recalling the fate of the earthworm, the warthog and the great apes, whose ladies never learned to talk, we should count our blessings.

Trending Now

Brazilian Star Beatriz Haddad Maia Falls in Australian Open First Round Upset

Beatriz Haddad Maia, Brazil's leading women's tennis player, saw her Australian Open campaign end abruptly on Sunday with a first-round defeat to Kazakhstan's Yulia...

Two Women Die Days Apart After Cosmetic Procedures in Costa Rica

Authorities in Costa Rica investigate the deaths of two women who passed away within five days of each other following cosmetic surgeries at private...

Endangered White-Lipped Peccaries Found Slaughtered Inside Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve

Last Wednesday, the carcasses of ten wild pigs were found slaughtered inside the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve on the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa...

Argentina’s Baez Eliminated by Darderi at Australian Open

Sebastian Baez's strong start to the 2026 season hit a roadblock on Thursday at the Australian Open, where the Argentine fell in the second...

Cold Front to Increase Rains and Winds in Costa Rica in Coming Days

A powerful cold front, known as Empuje Frío #11, is sweeping across the Caribbean Sea and is set to bring intensified rainfall and strong...

Costa Rican Journalists Face Rising Hate Speech, Study Warns of Hostile Shift

Journalists in Costa Rica face a tougher environment than in past years, with nearly half reporting derogatory or hateful speech aimed at them. A...
Avatar
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica