As a rule, I don't take any interest in the personal lives of public figures' families. The whole tabloid world is just so tawdry.
On the other hand, there have been times in American history where the president and his family have led all manner of trends in American society by example. That's why I'm pleased to see that Miss Jenna Bush's suitor, Henry Hager, went to The Honorable Mr. Bush to seek his blessing, before proposing to his daughter.
Seeking a woman's father's permission shows respect for her family and its traditions. (How anti-feminist. What a cad I am!) By the time I had graduated high school, I understood that marrying a girl meant marrying her family. She may have left her father's house, his rules, his guardianship a long time ago, but in most cases you will go the rest of your life dealing with her father, mother, sisters, brothers, cousins, meddling aunts and uncles, grandparents, childhood neighbours, college roomates, former employers, and hairdressers. Best to start the whole thing off right by getting her dad on your side.
In the real world, in a well-considered engagement, the whole family knows perfectly well that a proposal is coming. I flew from Virginia to Utah specifically to ask my father-in-law's permission. Everyone knew what was going on, and it still took two days to get him in private to do the asking. And I'm glad I did.
So take courage, men. If Henry Hager can walk up to the President of the United States and ask to marry his daughter, you can do the right thing too.
(Via Wizbang)
Comments