I have followed the Word nearly all of my 43 years on Earth, and Scripture takes on new meaning as I've matured in life. I realized the relationship between men and women are varied according to multiple factors that define ones growth. This article was written based on one's very targeted belief of men in general. The words, "..men are not just women with large feet and beards." was a strong hint that bad doctrine is being taught somewhere. If God took woman out of man (woman = out of man), exactly where did we confuse the order of His Creation? For that matter, when we stray from the very Manual we use just to begin understanding His Knowledge, what right does man or woman have to make such declarations? We have all strayed far from the Will of God - Man is to follow God's Will, not his own, and certainly not the will of others. Only a man that follows the Lord's Will is worth following, either as brother, leader or husband - any deviation from the Word is surely bound to fault.

This article has some good advice for those who have a relationship with an emotionally healthy husband. It IS good for a woman to know her husband,to "speak his language",to recognize and be grateful for what he does for her,to be willing to do what is important to him. I tend to agree that this article has a tone that makes it seem like these ideas are psychological manipulation that must be practiced to get a man to behave. My other concern about this article is that it would be dangerous for women in a relationship with an emotionally unstable or abusive man. Some men do not understand themselves well enough to be able to recognize and apply the virtues that a wife is practicing from this article. Abused women -- don't be fooled -- this wonderful advice won't lead your man out of the pattern of abuse. If this is your situation, seek professional help for the safety of you and your children. If your husband repents and changes, you can save this article to use in the future.

I agree with Legacy. The article is pretty condescending. As a woman, I admit to being confounded by men and their mindset, but men are in no way inferior to women because of the obvious differences in our nature. Our pastor spoke at length (on Father's Day of all days) on the "de-masculinizing" of men today thanks in part to the feminist movement of the 60s and modern media. Men are born leaders according to God's design. That is something women have been "educated" against in modern times.
I agree that this author takes the tone of a parent dealing with a small child. My husband and I are partners in our marriage. Each bringing specifics talents and strengths to the marriage to make it work. We both recognize the need to encourage those talents and strengths and not feel threatened by them, to communicate our needs and wants. Some days are definitely better than others! :)

nate: I don't disagree with much of what you've said. However I don't agree with the attitude with which Paula Rinehart addresses the topic. Indeed, my wife is an inspiration to me, and I to her. But Ms. Rinehart makes statements like:

"allow him to occasionally offer a solution to a problem"
"solicit his opinion or perspective as though he might have something truly unique to offer"
"it’ll be like holding up a mirror to them so they can see"
"ways they try to communicate love to you – even when they do so in ways that aren’t as meaningful to you as they are to them"
"Be patient with them without excusing bad behavior"
"accept each man in your life as he actually is rather than as you’d like him to be"
"you shouldn’t expect too much from men, you shouldn’t expect too little either"

Ms Rinehart uses vocabulary to refer to men as though she were a dog trainer or parent of young kids. In her paradigm, we are lesser beings trying to live up to women's standards, and I can't condone that.

Legacy88: Men are different and society has done a major disservice by trying to force us to be more like women. Hollywood constantly portrays man as the bumbling fool, needing to get in touch with his feminine side. This article doesn't say men are perfect; it is simply a guide to help women understand that men are generally different creatures, we should celebrate differences, and provides suggestions on how a woman can better relate to her man and support him. This is absolutely Biblical and meets reality. I've known a lot of great men in my life and all of them have one thing in common: a great wife! If a man is constantly struggling with his relationship at home, he will not have the resources to excel outside the home. I can personally point to great successes in my life and they are tied to personal successes in our relationship. Although we've discussed all these issues before, I'll definitely send a copy of this to my wife!

Wow, this article is written from a standpoint of such female superiority. Not all men fit the Neanderthal stereotype that seems to pervade modern culture, and I find the author's tone to be condescending. Many of us (men) and especially those who take the time to peruse this website are thoughtful, compassionate people who strive to live according to God's wishes, and cherish our relationships with our wives. Perhaps the author's time would be better spent trying to realize that all men can't be characterized with such a broad conescending brush.

Thank you for your deep insight into relationships with men. All of us should read this daily for a while to get it inside our heads and hearts so that the truths become a part of us. In "all", I am including men, so they will understand what we are intending to accomplish.
There is one thing I would like to add on the subject of "intimacy". Somehow, we got the idea that intimacy and sex were one and the same. In some relationships, there comes a time when the act of sex becomes impossible due to disease or stress. Yes, your man should go to a doctor to determine what the cause is,in case it is something serious. Do whatever is available to improve this area.
However, intimacy is so much more than the act of sex. It is as you stated, communication, the touch, the candle light dinner, a walk in the park, going on vacation, cherishing him and relating to him that it is HIM you love, not an act. Do not use this as an occasion to end your relationship, or to go elsewhere.