In her 2006 bestseller Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women, University of Iowa visiting assistant professor Christine B. Whelan shattered the age-old myth that men are intimidated by smart, successful women. With up-to-the-minute research, Census data and national opinion polls, she proved that today’s smart women can have healthy relationships as they pursue their career dreams. As Dr. Whelan outlined this historic shift on television shows like Good Morning America and in magazines like ELLE and Cosmopolitan, women started asking for specific advice on how to put this good news to use.

MARRY SMART: The Intelligent Woman’s Guide to True Love (Simon & Schuster Paperbacks; January 1, 2009) is the first “public sociology” guide to answer questions and dish out invaluable advice for smart women. It’s a guide for SWANS® (Strong Women Achievers No Spouse) who are looking for that perfect balance of career and relationship success. Expanding on her research from Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women, Dr. Whelan teaches women to embrace their inner strength and to be proud of their accomplishments – while anticipating the nagging questions on every smart, single woman’s mind.

“All the advice in the book is underpinned with Current Population Survey data and a nationally representative Harris Interactive poll,” says Prof. Whelan. “So while the book is – I hope! — accessible and fun, it’s also a collection of the latest marriage and family research as it relates to this growing demographic of college-educated women – SWANS.”

The Christian Science Monitor recently interviewed Professor Whelan about these changes in the structure of the family. For more about MARRY SMART, please visit the links below.


Related Link: Christian Science Monitor article on the changes in family structure.

Related Link: For more about the book Marry Smart, visit the website.

Related Link: Boston Globe article discussing Marry Smart.