Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are ‘traditional,’ ‘old fashioned’ in their marriage

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I used to have the hots for Mark Consuelos. I do not have the hots for Mark Consuelos anymore. He’s still very handsome, but he opened his handsome mouth and some ugly came out of it that wiped the hots out of my eyes. Mark and wife of almost 25 years, Kelly Ripa, appeared in the Double Date podcast. During their discussion, they called their politics progressive but their relationship “almost old-fashioned,” claiming that each had assumed the “traditional roles” within their marriage. Apparently, Mark made it clear from the start that there would only be “one man” in the relationship and it would be him.

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos consider themselves to be “progressive people” who hold “traditional” roles in their marriage.

While appearing on a recent episode of the Double Date podcast, Ripa and Consuelos, both 50, opened up about their nearly 25-year marriage and the aspects of their relationship that they consider to be “almost old-fashioned.”

“She makes the home a home,” the Riverdale actor said of his wife.

“What’s funny is I think of us as such a progressive as a couple. I always think of us as politically progressive … we’re progressive people,” the Live with Kelly and Ryan co-host said, adding, “And yet, when it comes to our own family and our marriage and our roles, I think of us as very traditional and almost old-fashioned in our roles.”

Ripa explained that because of Consuelos’ rigorous work schedule over the years, she’s “never had to leave home to work.”

“I’ve been able to raise my kids here in this city, in the nest, and he’s always been willing to travel and go to a set and go off here and sometimes he’s had to go live in another country to work on a set over there,” Ripa continued. “Traveling is hard and being away from home is hard and sometimes he would miss milestones for the kids, and I know that was hard for him.”

She added, “In that way, we’re very traditional. He made those sacrifices, but I think he wouldn’t know how to find a ballet class. He wouldn’t know how to go about signing the kids up for religion classes.”

Still, Consuelos said of Ripa’s choice to be more active at home: “Some would say you made the sacrifice.”

The father of three went on to describe himself as “a traditional guy. I feel like there are certain roles — it’s hard to explain exactly what those roles are,” he said. “We had a conversation where I said, ‘Hey listen, there’s really only room for one man in this relationship and it’s going to be me.'”

[From People]

I wish people would stop using the terms “old-fashioned” and “traditional” when “archaic” is more apt. Later Kelly talked about how she had, “definitive ideas about raising girls versus raising boys,” even though she doesn’t believe in “gender stereotyping.” She claimed her, “sons are just as sensitive as my daughter, and my daughter is as strong as my sons,” which sounds exactly like gender stereotyping. Mark also admitted when his only daughter, Lola, was born, he intended to never let her out of his sight, even though he claimed he’s more relaxed now because she’s proven herself or something. I guess the poor sensitive boys were just left to the wolves because Testicles!

I realize Mark and Kelly are not alone in this ideology. However, I think putting it out there as any kind of idealized version of family values is not only the antithesis of anything progressive, it’s demeaning to any family who is made up other than one man/one woman and kids borne of that union. That is one type of family, with no more value than any other family type. Plus I’m sure there are people who might poke holes in a family whose patriarch chose to miss kid milestones for his job. A job, by the way, for which he is paid to kiss women who are not his wife. Or maybe there are people who think thirst traps and oversharing are not old-fashioned. But I can’t get past Mark’s comment, “there’s really only room for one man in this relationship and it’s going to be me.” Everything I need to know about him is packed into that statement. I realize that whatever they have works for them, but I’m out. I hope the Conseulos kids meet non-traditional people who value who they are more than what role they are supposed to assume.

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95 Responses to “Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are ‘traditional,’ ‘old fashioned’ in their marriage”

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  1. OriginalLala says:

    For such “progressive” people they clearly cling to really outdated ideas about gender norms. Yikes.

    • GrnieWnie says:

      yup and this lights me up. He “made those sacrifices”? WHAT sacrifices? Those were choices!! Because what’s not being said here is that Kelly doubtlessly outearns him by a lot. He doesn’t need to work. At all. But apparently his male ego required him to. I don’t think this choice should be applauded — certainly not when shame has been heaped upon women when they do the same thing. Both of them are adding to that shame with their “traditional roles.”

      It isn’t traditional for a woman to be the breadwinner AND the primary childcarer. That’s bullshit math. You either have a partnership or you don’t. It isn’t one person does it all, and the other goes off to do whatever because his fragile male ego can’t handle his wife’s success. In this paradigm, women carry the children during pregnancy. Women birth them and incur all the injuries that go along with that. Women assume the bulk of the childcare/career costs. AND women make all the money? Yeah, no.

      What exactly is his role in this family? He ‘missed milestones’–WHY? Why?? Show up for your kids and stop dumping it all on your wife (who, let’s be honest, is likely paying for a LOT of help)! I think he’s overcompensating for the fact that he’s short with all his commentary on gender roles and ‘only room for one man in this relationship’. Barf.

      • Twin falls says:

        “women carry the children during pregnancy. Women birth them and incur all the injuries that go along with that. Women assume the bulk of the childcare/career costs. AND women make all the money? Yeah, no.“

        Having done all of that and not made the money, IMO you’re in a much better position as a woman to also be making the money if you can.

      • GrnieWnie says:

        Well yeah, but the point is that children have two parents. So why is one parent doing literally everything while the other one farts around? Society judges mothers to the end of time and back over everything to do with children. But when are fathers ever going to be judged on whether THEY show up for their kids? Mothers show up more by biological default, so fathers have some catching up to do. If the father is not going to be a parent or only bother show up when it suits him, then the least he can do is financially support everyone else. If he’s not doing that, then why on earth are these two pretending they’re partners at all? Sounds like Mark is Kelly’s fourth child, the adult one who can’t seem to get it together. Or a FWB that she sees while being a single working mom.

        I mean, exactly how much are women supposed to take on here?

      • You hit the nail on the head GrnieWnie! She makes the money, runs the house, raises the kids and he gets to travel, kiss other women & miss milestones?! Huh?!!!

    • tealily says:

      I notice she’s the one saying they’re “progressive people,” not him. Perhaps wishful thinking on her part.

      • Pork chops & Apple sauce says:

        “Progressive” meaning they have gay friends and don’t like Trump, woo, take a number.
        I think Kelly bends over backwards to make him feel like “the man”, because she’s eclipsed him in fame and earnings. She lets him go off and take jobs wherever/whenever he can so he still feels in power in some way. It’s a messed up dynamic.

  2. D says:

    She makes ALL the money in that family. He doesn’t make a fraction of her salary on all of his projects that apparently took him away from home. They may want to pretend that she “keeps the home” and he is the “man” of the family but I would guess her salary pays for the nanny who really took the kids to ballet and religion classes, the private chef who makes all the meals and the housekeeper who “keeps the home”. His work maybe pays for a vacation here and there.

    • Rhea says:

      @D – 100% agree! Imagine being married to someone for 25 years and still having to play pretend about the realities of your relationship!

    • Jan says:

      Completely agree with you, Kelly is the bread winner.
      He went from a soap opera to bit parts, before Riverdale, rigorous world schedule where, in a Gym.
      Sometimes, when women make more money men, the women bend over backward to accommodate the men, so their masculinity is not hurt.
      Mark is full of BS, it’s good to see Kelly looking healthier for a while there, it was hard to look at her.

    • Oh_Hey says:

      This. I have liked Kelly and Mark from their All My Children days when I would watch during what was supposed to be nap time with my mom. This interview was for Mark’s benefit. Kelly has been running that whole thing, including him and those kids, for the past 25 years and I don’t know who this was supposed to fool. As for the gender roles thing, their kids seems surprisingly normal, well adjusted, completely uninterested in their parents thirsty antics. I’d bet anything that if you ask those kids, especially Lola, who seems not to give a dog about these two, they’d have no idea what they were talking about. This was for clout because they hadn’t said anything clingy in a while for that attention they crave so much.

    • aggie says:

      Seriously! They are compelled to play-act this fiction to obscure that reality. It’s sad.

    • Amanda says:

      Exactly. So hypocritical.

    • GrnieWnie says:

      oh man I just went on a rant about this before I read your comment haha, so glad we’re here

    • lucy2 says:

      Yeah that kind of confused me, as I always thought she had the busier career, especially when their kids were small.
      I’m so tired of men saying “I’m bad at cleaning, I don’t know how to do ____ for our kids” because in reality it’s just a lazy excuse to get out of doing it.

    • Kebbie says:

      Yeah, it seems more like they’re both pretending they have a traditional marriage to soothe his ego. She’s the breadwinner by a massive margin, hardly old fashioned or traditional.

    • MyJobIsToPrincess says:

      I think the money might be why he had to say there is only one man in this house and it’s goign to be me. I mean, if she’s makes all the money and decides what they can or cannot do, and provides for eveyrhting – I mean, what could he ask for other than can you please let be the man in the house – and I guess “man” woudl mean, can you please leave me a little bit of power so I am not treated like somebody useless who doesnt have a say in this family? I think Kelly probably just said yes to that, because – what does it change? I real life, she knows she still the #1 provider for the family and she probably has more say in eveyrthing, but it made Consuelos feel less threaten, more considered, I guess?
      People just need take their own space in a relationship/family, man or women, those who are more confortable running a home should do it, those who like to get out and work should, kids should be allowed to be who they are. Why do we even need to say who wears the “pants” in a relatiohsip. It’s such a useless statement.

  3. Ajatha says:

    Meh. Two consenting adults. I don’t see the problem with it. There’s no one way to have a relationship. The important thing is that both people agree on their roles within the relationship. They’re not pushing it on the world as the right way to do things, so I’m ok with it.

    • Jayna says:

      I agree. Kelly did make a fortune, and that fact that their marriage survived and didn’t fall under the weight of that, which most actor’s egos couldn’t handle, is a testament to them. I don’t hold people and their marriages to some perfect politically correct standard. He worked away from home because that’s where his jobs were and it kept his own identity alive, not consumed by her identity. Kelly also did other things, which Mark clearly supported. That TV show she did while also hosting her TV show. And many career women don’t want to be away the hours it takes for certain jobs, like acting would have possibly for her. They want to be a huge part of the raising of their kids day to day. There’s never an easy answer to that dilemma. That talk show gave them financial freedom and Kelly that time with her babies and then kids and then teenagers. I

      Of course they have nannies and help, but they seem like really devoted, hands-on parents. Their family vacations are often with both sets of grandparents.

    • sa says:

      I generally agree, if it works for them, great. Adults can define for themselves what roles they want in a relationship and as long as they are all happy with those roles, then good for them.

      My only issue is the ignorance and sexism inherent in the comment about him being the “man” in the relationship. His role in the relationship is what he wants, for whatever reason, and it’s great for him that he found a partner who is happy for him to have that role. But his role in the relationship is not is something that he earned or deserves by being a man.

      • ItReallyIsYouNotMe says:

        SA , you hit the nail on the head that the only part of this interview that really bugs me is the “one man” comment. Otherwise it seems like they are both on board with their traditional roles in their marriage while NOT projecting those values on other relationships. It’s not what I want in my marriage but it’s worked for them for 25 years and it doesn’t seem like he is abusive or coercive so I don’t see a problem with it. In other news, a local radio station did a piece the other day that asked if people prefer their partners to be funny or intelligent. Sadly, a lot of men responded that they want to be the intelligent one in the relationship so they prefer a funny partner. Seriously, get a life.

      • Tanya says:

        His quote “I feel like there are certain roles — it’s hard to explain exactly what those roles are” is what gets me. He can’t even articulate what his expectations are!! Or, he can articulate them but is aware that his words will sound terrible in 2021. I’m curious what led him to even have that conversation with Kelly about there only being room for one man in the relationship. Does he make decisions? Does he have the final say with the kids? He sounds like a terrible “partner” in life. Insecure much dude?! Ha ha

    • Lizzythe2 says:

      Ajatha, I completely agree. I can’t stand it when Feminists get all up and arms about this type of family scenario. I know plenty of women who are younger yet still like a “traditional” role. This is also Feminism. That a woman made a choice to have this type of family. Kelly could have said I don’t want this kind if life and not married Mark.
      Those who criticize women being okay with a traditional life are not feminists.

      I don’t want that type of life for myself but that doesn’t mean I trash my friends who do live this life.

      • Brittany says:

        LizzyThe, the only reason a “feminist” would be critical of the traditional (so-called) modern white American family structure is because it would be harmful. It is harmful when only one type of family structure or gender role situation is put forth as normal. It is harmful when women are in a position that disempowers them financially. It is harmful to women when women are expected to do work or labor for no pay. It is a situation designed to give men all the power and women almost all the labor and none of the money. It is a situation designed to trap women in the home and separate them from others. There have been women who were unable to leave an abusive situation and protect themselves and their children from their husbands because they had been traditional stay at home wives and had not a cent of their own. It is a dangerous situation in a capitalist society when a woman is separated from money. I’m not saying it’s utterly impossible for a woman to have a good life in a traditional set up but the power dynamics are so extreme it almost invites abuse.

        I was raised in a very traditional and very abusive home. I understand the situation very well. It’s not just a neutral choice.

      • Sigmund says:

        “I can’t stand it when Feminists get all up and arms about this type of family scenario. I know plenty of women who are younger yet still like a “traditional” role. This is also Feminism. That a woman made a choice to have this type of family. Kelly could have said I don’t want this kind if life and not married Mark.“

        @Lizzythe2: You’re overlooking a key part of this dynamic that was brought up further up. Kelly is definitely the breadwinner. She outearns and outworks him, and has for a long time. She’s also, according to her husband, being tasked with being the primary caregiver for the kids. This is hugely unequal. It’s not traditional at all, and it puts a substantial burden on his wife.

        Now, more than likely, he’s not mentioning all the help they pay for—nannies, tutors, etc. They lead a privileged life, and the story he’s selling here is only half-truth, at best. But feminists SHOULD have a problem with what he’s describing. In this half-made-up scenario, the wife is not choosing to stay at home with her kids instead of working. She’s being burdened with both, because her husband wants to be seen as a “man”.

      • WithTheAmerican says:

        Actually, that is not feminism. That is how conservatives worked to re-define feminism, in order to make women “choosing” to work for free at home and then get left later after caretaking with nothing.

        Feminism is about equality, not “choice.” One CAN choose to be less than, but that choice is not feminist. Kelly choosing to work her butt off in various jobs (commercials on top of hosting) and then be subservient to his ego is not feminism.

        Some people do make staying at home work as a an equal choice, but that choice should come with legal protections for that person or it is still a precarious position.

        Feminism is also about equal pay for equal work.

        “There’s only one man” is about one person in charge because of his gender and is not feminism.

    • lucy2 says:

      As off-putting as I find it, I agree with you. If this is what they both want and both are happy, that’s their choice, good for them. But I often wonder in those relationships though, is the woman REALLY happy and wanting that, or has just gone along with it for so long.
      Hopefully they’re both happy, and hopefully their kids know that isn’t how it HAS to be.

    • Anna says:

      Totally agree. And at the risk of being boo-ed, I will admit that I enjoy a relationship with defined roles. To each their own as long as it’s consent from both sides and no one is being coerced into a specific type of relationship. If you’re with someone who likes things the same way you do, great. If not, then don’t be with that person. And of course don’t impose your “traditions” on other people.

  4. Still_Sarah says:

    @ D : exactly- she has been the “breadwinner” for many years with “whoever & Kelly”. I don’t see what the big deal is for them to admit that or at least not lie about it like this.

  5. Sunny says:

    They really work hard at putting out this image of having such a perfect marriage with lots of sex.

    Why do they have to tell everyone all the time about how happy and successful and rich and perfect they both are?

    We get it.

    • Eleonor says:

      When I see this kind of image I always wonder when ton of mistresses and infidelities will come to light. But probably I am just a bad person.

      • Still_Sarah says:

        @ Eleonor : Or perhaps you are incredibly insightful and have seen this many times before.

      • Sid says:

        Yup. Allegedly, back in their AMC days many of the other castmembers were not happy that she stayed with him, because they did not like his behavior towards her. Allegedly, one of the reasons she worked so hard to stay thin is because he prefers it. Allegedly there was a sidechick during Riverdale. All of this is allegedly.

        But I have never liked him.

      • jbones says:

        Welp, I know someone who claims to have had sex with MC when he came to T.O. in the early aughts.

  6. Darla says:

    I only permit this kind of talk from a man in the bedroom. And only on special occasions.

    • cassandra says:

      Yasssssss

      But in all seriousness, I’ve learned over time that anytime a guy spouts off nonsense like this it’s a big red flag. I got into a fight with a boyfriend once because I booked a hotel room in my name and the clerk referred to him as Mr. Cassandra when we checked in and he lost his ever loving mind. He turned out to suck in many other ways

      • Darla says:

        Oh i bet! Ugh. Glad he’s an ex.

      • Kebbie says:

        Yikes. Toxic men love to show you exactly who they are!

      • Normades says:

        Wow what a jerk. Any good guy just would have thought it was funny/cute. You dodged a bullet there.

        This is great thread but I’m just going to say something really superficial: Their kids are all extremely attractive.

    • MF1 says:

      LOL. I think you have the right idea!

  7. SusanRagain says:

    Kelly makes good money, has been on daytime for a lotta years.
    Mark has a lesser career, no matter what country/location he is working.

    I’m neither surprised or offended by this interview.
    I’m in the Midwest, and many people still define themselves by these types of labels.
    Does not mean they are closed minded or unwelcoming of other peoples choices.
    I know many families who are farming for a living, still working their families heritage homesteads, and everyone works together, etc. And yet, folks still says “She stays home with the kids. He’s running the farm.” Ever spent a week on a working farm? Nobody is sitting down much. lol

    Relationships/marriage are changing and difficult, they’ve been together 25 years, and Kelly overshares, IMO.
    I also agree that they live a wealthy lifestyle and have hired staff. If we all had extra hired staff, we would all have it easier.
    And yes, their “brand” is kinda old-fashioned, traditional sell.
    See also, damn near every country music entertainer. lol

  8. NTheMiddle says:

    I’d like to hear the tone of this statement. They joke around A LOT like this. It doesn’t seem quite like him…. he always seems to refer to Kelly wearing the pants when he cohosts or in other interviews?

    • sa says:

      That’s a good point. I don’t know much about either of them, beyond the occasional story here and there, and I guess I took the comment about him being “the man” in the relationship to be sincere given the context and that one of the few things I have heard in the past is Kelly talking (a lot) about their traditional roles in their marriage. Their roles in their relationship doesn’t bother me (frankly, if a relationship works for everyone involved in it, it’s not really my place to have an opinion on it), but his comment did bother me, because that was more of a (sexist) statement about what a man is rather than about their personal dynamic.

      If it was a joke, I probably still wouldn’t respond positively to it, but also not as negatively as I am now.

  9. SusanRagain says:

    Off topic here but, I like the pretty flowery dress on Kelly in pic #2.

  10. Tiff says:

    That’s hilarious when she’s clearly the breadwinner.

  11. Leigh says:

    I’m not into shaming women for having a long, seemingly happy marriage. Some women want that kind of marriage and it shouldn’t be considered a bad thing as long as they have a choice. Gender norms shouldn’t have to be broken to be a progressive.

    • NOLA GIRL says:

      OMG!! Thank you. When will we get to a point in society where we just let people live? Clearly it’s working for them. I mean they’ve been together for over 20 years. There are couples with “progressive” marriages that can’t even make it to 10. If a relationship works for both parties then I say good to them. I just don’t see the need to make an issue out of everything that we don’t personally agree with or relate to.

      • Jayna says:

        Bingo. And as other posters state: I’m sure there was laughter during the podcast. It’s all in the deliver and that is missed on paper.

    • NTheMiddle says:

      Yes… whatever it is, it works for them. A long happy marriage is rare. Good for them.

  12. Amy Bee says:

    If they were so traditional Kelly wouldn’t have been the main breadwinner for most of their marriage. I wish they would talk about that issue instead of pretending that she’s a homemaker.

  13. Soupie says:

    I wasn’t aware that swinging sex parties are a traditional marriage.

  14. Kcat says:

    Context please:

    If you listen to the full podcast they make it clear that he made that comment in the beginning of their relationship and they were laughing about it.

    I came away from the podcast liking them more than I thought I would. He goes on about how amazing and loving she is, treating his mom or dad (forget which) like her own when they had cancer, and how she took care of them. It actually was pretty sweet.

  15. Aphra says:

    “I’ve never had to leave home for work”? I don’t watch tv, but I’m pretty sure she’s on tv, right? Am I crazy? And if she’s just a traditional housewife who hasn’t worked outside the home in 25 years, why is she on a celebrity gossip blog?!

    • Jayna says:

      She never had to be far away for work. She was an actor. Actors often have to leave their children for extended periods of time, months. That’s what she’s talking about. The TV gig allowed her to be in the city they live in and have great hours and she was able to be a very involved mother with their babies/children and activitives

  16. Plums says:

    first, unrelated, but their son on the left of that picture looks like Mark’s clone, omg.

    regarding what they said about marriage- It is impressive to me that they have had such a long, successful hollywood marriage, and whatever works for them works for them, but I’m with you that they shouldn’t be publicly promoting regressive gender roles if that’s what works for them.

    But maybe I’m being more charitable than I would otherwise be, since I have a soft spot because they will always be Hayley and Mateo to me.

    • Normades says:

      There’s an episode in Riverdale where the actors who play the kids play the parents in a high school flashback. That son plays Mark’s character. This was the best episode and also really showcased what an amazing actress Lili (Betty) is.

  17. Sunday says:

    I didn’t hear the podcast, but the quotes here sound incredibly passive aggressive on her part, like she clearly doesn’t buy into what she’s saying. “You sacrificed by being away from home, traveling all the time.” “You can travel for some job but not to take the kids to ballet class.”

    • Kebbie says:

      I think she’s just trying to reinforce the fiction that he’s the traditional man even though he makes a fraction of what she does. She’s stroking his ego by saying that stuff, not insulting him.

  18. minx says:

    They have beautiful kids, that’s all I’ve got.

  19. AnnaC says:

    They aren’t saying theirs is the only/best/everyone should have/etc. type of marriage, but it’s how their’s is, and if both consenting adults in the relationship want this, then so be it. It’s worked for 25 years, while there are occasional (unsubstantiated) whispers about his cheating and her diva behavior, they never seem to gain much traction. People who have met them and their kids (including people posting here) have said they come across as a lovely, close family. You don’t hear horror stories about their kids and as parents they’ve prioritized getting an education vs becoming the next nepotism model/actor. I’m really not a Kelly/Mark fan, but whatever they are doing so far, in their marriage and family, seems to work.

  20. fluffy_bunny says:

    She adopted a dog without telling him so I’m not so sure he wears the pants in the family.

  21. Evenstar says:

    Whatever, it seems to fit with them and what they want. It’s not for me or my marriage, but it seems to work for both of them. Live and let live.

  22. Ihatestupidpeople says:

    Barf

  23. Carolyn says:

    I see no problem with people having roles in a marriage, if they are both happy with said roles.
    I saw Mark go wacko against a kid, at his son‘s wrestling tournament. That‘s the moment I said buhbye….

  24. MF1 says:

    Ugh, we all know that when couples say they have a “traditional, old-fashioned” marriage, what they really mean is “we believe in gender roles that contribute to the oppression of women.” It’s just sexism by another name.

  25. Case says:

    I had to stop watching her morning show because of how often she’d talk crap about her daughter, as though she was jealous of her. It was creepy.

    I think if a husband and wife are happy with the way their relationship is set up, that’s fine. I mean, my mom was a stay-at-home mom and my dad traveled for work. I don’t think that made them “traditional” or “archaic,” that was the situation that worked for them. At home, they always worked as partners, divided chores evenly, etc.

    • Kebbie says:

      I’ve never watched the show, but I’ve heard people say that about her before, that she was constantly taking digs at her teenage daughter. Just what a young girl needs, to be humiliated on national television by her mother. What a nightmare.

  26. Lily says:

    How about he educate his sons and their friends instead of oppressing his daughter and punishing her for the actions of men?

    It’s the most logical thing to do. And yet they say men are rational and good problem solvers, lol.

  27. Jumpingthesnark says:

    I get the feeling that all these words coming out of his mouth essentially boil down to “I get to sleep with other women as long as I am discreet but my wife only gets to sleep with me”. Big eyeroll.

  28. PD says:

    To each is own! There are a lot of celebrities whose children do not go to college; all 3 of them are.
    I still can’t believe that we criticize their couple which works after 25 years I have been with my husband for 14, 2 young kids and it is not easy!!!!!! We love each other but a couple is about compromise!
    As feminist we should be more outraged to see little girls in hijabs! It is the submission of women to men; Gosh I grew up next to muslin women 40 years ago none were wearing it and we shared the end of Ramadan.

    • fluffy_bunny says:

      They also don’t pamper their kids. Kelly told a story about how her in laws send cards with 20 bucks in them for the kids for holidays and the oldest had asked her if the card arrived when he was in college because he really needed the 20 bucks.

  29. Ann says:

    I’m being shallow here (sorry, water reference not intended) but those are just the type of family photos that annoy me. “Everyone splash each other in the pool and laugh hysterically.” That would be fine if they were spontaneous, but they don’t seem to be. Sorry, I just see too many pictures like that in Xmas cards or even in blow-up form on peoples walls. I don’t care for them. YMMV.

  30. Joanna says:

    My ex husband said that. We argued a lot as he wanted me to accept that he was the “head of the household.” Good guy but old fashioned in many ways. It seems a lot of guys require this in a relationship.

  31. florencia says:

    “That is one type of family, with no more value than any other family type.”

    Love this line, your whole post is on point, Hecate!

  32. Kim says:

    Oh please. Why do you care how other folks decide what their relationships look like? I’ve been married 35 years and I’ve seen everything from “ traditional” marriages to open marriages to marriages where the couple spend very little time together and are busy doing their own thing. WHO CARES? It obviously fits their value system and affords them a home base they feel comfortable living in. If it works for them, is not abusive, and they are happy, let people live how they want. Marriage is a mystery and is highly individualized. Marriages are NOT one size fits all. You don’t need to tell freakin Kelly Rippa what her relationship should look like -that bitch has more financial freedom to leave than most women if she doesn’t like it. I’m a feminist to the nth degree- I don’t care if Mark said he is going to be the only man in the relationship- for Christ’s sake he is the only man ( that we know of) in that relationship. She obviously LIKES IT THAT WAY. JFC get out of others relationships and worry about your own. They have been married 25 years and the way they have done it is working for them. Sheesh.

    • Evenstar says:

      +1
      The world would be a much healthier, peaceful place if people just minded their own damn business and let people live their lives how they want to.

    • Beck says:

      This a million times!! I wish I could copy and paste this into the articles about the Cambridge’s marriage because it is so true on all counts

    • IMARA219 says:

      This is a case of “mind the business that pays you”. Seriously, why be bothered that Mark considers himself a man in their relationship. I mean clearly, Kelly co-signs it and agrees.

  33. candy says:

    My ex was like this, it’s exhausting propping up a man like that.

  34. K says:

    Maybe the roids need scaled back. He seems like a total asshole.

  35. Beck says:

    I mean its their lives and their marriage if it how they want to be really not our business or place to judge. I wouldn’t love that style but if they’re ok with it not my business

  36. IMARA219 says:

    I’m not too pressed with how two grown consenting people decided to define themselves and their marriage. If he wants traditional roles and she’s down with it, COOL for them. It’s not messy, toxic, bad, negative, or problematic if this is how they have chosen to live their lives together. They aren’t forcing their views on others and for now, both seem content. I agree this is supposed to be feminism, correct? Women select what roles they want, what is equality, and how much control to surrender or not.

    • Fabiola says:

      I’m married and my husband and I both make the same amount of money but if one of us had to travel for work it would have to be him. I enjoy putting my son to bed and taking care of him. I’m not saying my husband doesn’t but it’s my choice. I prefer traditional gender roles in my marriage. My husband has to take out the trash. If the shower breaks then he can take care of it. I don’t want to. I also prefer him not to cook since he sets off the fire alarm. This works for us. Not sure why people have a problem with it.

      • Imara219 says:

        Right, people are literally getting mad he calls himself the man of the household and he does traditional gender roles in his marriage. Like, he’s a man calling himself a man. He is free to identify however he wishes. He isn’t holding anyone else to it. In my marriage, we use traditional gender roles but it truly works for us. My husband is the CFO and I’m more like the COO of our household and yes it works for us.

  37. Emily_C says:

    Meh. I think he’s rather pathetic, but I’m not married to him. If they’re happy, then fine, so long as they don’t inflict gender essentialism on their children or stump for terrible political causes.

    I personally prefer the manliness of my husband, who laughs about this stuff and often sings “my chest is entirely covered with hair!” Because it’s all so ridiculous.

  38. Irishgal says:

    Sometimes I think it’s the case that SOME women prefer to be home based once they become mothers. I’m the bread winner in our home. I hold degree and a masters and a good job. My husband works construction. I would definitely have the alpha personality. But he makes sacrifices to afford me the ability to be the one who gets to be around the kids the most as I need that and want that and crave that. Not that he doesn’t also want to do all the things with them but he is willing to make sacrifices that allow me that privilege more than him while also both needing to work to pay for life.

  39. MangoAngelesque says:

    My view is that feminism means you get to choose what role you live to be happy. Their setup works for them, doesn’t sound abusive or controlling, and they seem happy. His phraseology was eyerolly, but I’m not married to him, so *shrug*

    And, let’s be honest, Kelly does NOT strike me as an easy-going, submissive wifey type that goes along with her husband’s ego just because. She seems super uptight and controlling and firm, so I don’t see his posturing for interviews being a big deal in their actual marriage. She’s no shrinking violet.

  40. Tursitops says:

    Why did she find it necessary to mention religious classes. The most pious people whom I know rarely mention their faith, and certainly wouldn’t bring up their children’s catechism instruction in a media interview. Believe it or not, there are still people who consider faith to be a private matter; some of them are even in “traditional marriages”.

  41. Sarcasm101 says:

    Puke. I can’t stand her.

  42. Mariatia says:

    I want to get the scoop on what went down with her and Jess seinfeld. The talk around the Hamptons was it was a huge blow out. Also she has a sister she never speaks about. Her name is Linda and she used to post cryptic things about kelly.