Martha Krienke recently provided what may be the most-answered post in Boundless history. Peter, Craig M, Jack, myself, and occasionally Farmer Tom, tried to provide balance to the issue, but not without some foodfights ensuing.

Personally, I think Martha got the title wrong. Men are not scared by “independent” women. In fact, “scare” is probably the wrong word here, too. It’s not like IT professionals like myself quake in our boots in the presence of a female physician or attorney or CPA.

Honestly, I think this line of rationalization for protracted singleness, is what I call the “Maureen Dowd” defense, in honor of the Pulitzer-prize winning feminista who laments her singleness now that her childbearing years are long passed away. The argument goes, “Men won’t date me because they are afraid of being around someone more successful than they are!” (FWIW: Fred Reed provides an excellent commentary about Dowd.)

In actuality, that argument is mere projection of her own problems onto the men. After all, I doubt that Dowd would want to be caught dead dating a car mechanic. But I digress.

My experience is that when a woman argues like that, she is trying to hide her own insecurities.

Pesronally, I don’t know Martha, and she doesn’t know me. She’s a year younger than my wife, we’re Facebook friends, and I would surmise that–if we all lived in the same venue–Martha, MrsLarijani, and myself would probably be on otherwise friendly terms.

That said, it is quite telling that Martha would put up a discussion like that, given that she and Lisa Anderson are both in the protracted singles bracket.

Is Martha making a statement about her own situation, or Lisa’s situation? I don’t know.

That said, the post for the thread strikes me as a Christianized variation of the Maureen Dowd defense.