A popular essay written by Marilyn Yalom, "The Wife Today", focuses on the latest trends in the role of the wife against the background of traditional expectations. In her essay, Yalom argues that many common perceptions about today's women are inaccurate.

Yalom's essay makes it clear to the reader that the main point of her writing is to raise women's awareness of their ability to choose wifehood. American wives today have many reasons to work outside of the home. One reason is women do not want to be economically dependent on their partners. In the young days of American society, women were expected to stay home and take care of the children, however; this idea is not relevant today. The theory of "bargaining power" indicates that the more money a spouse brings, the more power they have over their partners. This theory brings up a common problem between...