Emotional Frustration: The Hushed Plague
Dr. Mario O. Laplume
Outskirts Press (2021)
ISBN: 978-1977222695
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (01/2022)
“Emotional Frustration: The Hushed Plague,” is written in formal expository prose to highlight issues that lead to women being frustrated and dissatisfied. A wide range of topics are discussed around issues relating to women today, and also how they have been impacted in the past. Women who have made contributions to history are highlighted, and unfortunately, their gifts to society did not guarantee happy endings for many of them. The author Dr. Mario Laplume also provides a great deal of insight into why women think differently than men. The physiology of the brain is used as a very interesting and enlightening example. Disparities involving financial, educational and career opportunities are reviewed in depth, with women often coming up with the short end of the stick.
In each section, Laplume also offers “Nuggets of Wisdom,” which are suggestions to help men best assist their women through difficult situations. These suggestions tend to be a bit humorous, at least in my eyes as a woman, because if my partner tried to placate me using some of them, it would not end well for him. But it would be nice to see more men step up to the plate by helping alleviate some of the stressors in which women are currently dealing, especially when the woman is working, parenting, and trying to maintain a household.
I found “Emotional Frustration: The Hushed Plague,” to be well crafted and highly informative. It is clearly well researched and referenced. The topics covered are too numerous to mention, but I am amazed by how much interesting information is packed between these pages. While there is a great deal of information being presented, the material is written in a way that makes the reading enjoyable. I would love to see this be used as a text in a women’s studies class. In my day, those classes were referred to as “Man Hating 101.” I need to emphasize that this work does not convey that feeling all, rather it highlights the differences between the two genders and how historically woman have had to overcome a lot to get where they are today.
“Emotional Frustration: The Hushed Plague,” is definitely highly recommended reading. I would also suggest offering as an engagement gift to a future groom!
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