Having spent three years taking journalism courses, meeting marketing gurus and having degrees in psychology, I’ve been vaccinated against sensationalist propaganda. It’s taught me the importance of considering the source behind any highly emotional headline.
Take for instance the recent headline, “The White supremacist origins of modern marriage advice”. The headline leads readers in making some broad assumptions about marriage advice.
The first time I saw the article, I dismissed it. When I saw it spreading in circulation to cities across the nation, I went ahead and read it. On reading it, I felt the need to share a few points.
The sensational headline grabs your attention, but leads your mind into thinking that all marriage advice, counseling, etc. are tainted. It can lead you into some wild negative assumptions about modern marriage help and their sources.
Looking through such a lens is misleading. I prefer considering the questions of “Does it work?” or “Will it help people?” Asking those questions leads me to different conclusions.
Evaluating the origins of marital advice according to 21st century standards of ‘wokeness’ rather than looking at what worked through previous centuries leads you to making some costly mistakes based on popular opinion.
On considering the source, the author is trying to sell her books along with not being a big advocate of marriage.
On taking a deeper dive, the author only considered marriage advice from a fringe area and books by authors with pronounced intentional agendas. She selected items from what amounts to the dark net version of the early 20th century.
Bear in mind that in the early 20th century, in the days before birth control, there were many self-proclaimed gurus spreading ideas during a time when couples were isolated and people didn’t talk about sex and marriage issues, much less affairs. Marriage at that time was more about survival than compatibility.
If you grew up in a family that never talked about sex, marriage or affairs, you may be vulnerable to sensational articles and authors. Consider both the source and the outcome you’re seeking.
Does the expert your considering believe in marriage?As wild as it seems, I’ve encountered ‘experts’ who don’t believe in marriage..
Do they want to see your marriage survive?
Think about whether you want your marriage to survive. Do you want your marriage to improve?
If your plan is salvaging your marriage and trying to make it better, consider the video “Let’s Talk: Hurting People and Healing Questions”. Although your family didn’t talk about affairs and other issues, you can change that.
In the video, you’ll learn ways of improving how you talk with each other and ways of dealing with sensitive topics along with their hurts.
Click and download your copy of the video today.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff
