Why I Want A Wife

JUDY BRADY

I Want a Wife (1971)

Judy Brady’s essay became an instant classic when it appeared in 1971 in the premier

issue of the feminist magazine Ms. As you read, analyze the definitions of “husband” and

“wife” that Brady uses, and consider why this essay became so powerful in the 1970s.

I belong to that classification of people known as wives. I am A Wife. And, not altogether

incidentally, I am a mother.

Not too long ago a male friend of mine appeared on the scene fresh from a

recent divorce. He had one child, who is, of course, with his ex-wife. He is looking

for another wife. As I thought about him while I was ironing one evening, it

suddenly occurred to me that I, too, would like to have a wife. Why do I want a

wife?

I would like to go back to school so that I can become economically independent,

support myself, and, if need be, support those dependent upon me. I

want a wife who will work and send me to school. And while I am going to school

I want a wife to take care of my children. I want a wife to keep track of the children’s

doctor and dentist appointments. And to keep track of mine, too. I want a

wife to make sure my children eat properly and are kept clean. I want a wife who

will wash the children’s clothes and keep them mended. I want a wife who is a

good nurturant attendant to my children, who arranges for their schooling,

makes sure that they have an adequate social life with their peers, takes them to

the park, the zoo, etc. I want a wife who takes care of the children when they are

sick, a wife who arranges to be around when the children need special care, because,

of course, I cannot miss classes at school. My wife must arrange to lose

time at work and not lose the job. It may mean a small cut in my wife’s income

from time to time, but I guess I can tolerate that. Needless to say, my wife will

arrange and pay for the care of the children while my wife is working.

I want a wife who will take care of my physical needs. I want a wife who will

keep my house clean. A wife who will pick up after my children, a wife who will

pick up after me. I want a wife who will keep my clothes clean, ironed, mended,

replaced when need be, and who will see to it that my personal things are kept in

their proper place so that I can find what I need the minute I need it. I want a

wife who cooks the meals, a wife who is a good cook. I want a wife who will plan

the menus, do the necessary grocery shopping, prepare the meals, serve them

pleasantly, and then do the cleaning up while I do my studying. I want a wife who

will care for me when I am sick and sympathize with my pain and loss of time

from school. I want a wife to go along when our family takes a vacation so that

someone can continue to care for me and my children when I need a rest and

change of scene.

1

From Ms. Magazine, 1972. Copyright Ð'© 1970 by Judy Syfers. Reprinted by permission.

I want a wife who will not bother me with rambling complaints about a

wife’s duties. But I want a wife who will listen to me when I feel the need to explain

a rather difficult point I have come across in my course of studies. And I

want a wife who will type my papers for me when I have written them.

I want a wife who will take care of the details of my social life. When my wife

and I are invited out by my friends, I want a wife who will take care of the

babysitting arrangements. When I meet people at school that I like and want to

entertain, I want a wife who will have the house clean, will prepare a special meal,

serve it to me and my friends, and not interrupt when I talk