It is difficult not to agree with the sentiments of correspondent Jayana McNeish as expressed in her letter 'Fathers need to step up' published in The Gleaner on October 7.

Nevertheless, whenever women complain about being mistreated by men, whether it is from physical abuse or lack of support for children whom they fathered, I am always inclined to ask about the men they turned down before ending up with those jerks.

I would suggest that not a very small part of the problem lies with the women themselves and the values they use in choosing a mate. My observation has been that too many women seem to be attracted to jerks. I sometimes speculate that there has been an evolutionary adaptation of women that makes them attracted to the aggressive savage hunter who is likely to bring home the kill and keep her and her offspring well fed. The problem is that those very qualities cause problems in the relationship as well.

Contrary to popular belief, I think that the matter of sexual gratification is only a small part of it. I have known of cases where women complain about the lack of sexual input from their mates who are satisfying a string of other women. Yet these women will remain passive and loyal, and even try to keep up appearances. I have known women active in the Church who will declare quite openly that they are not interested in the men they meet there as they are not interesting. What sort of men do these women find interesting? Why are they still in the Church if the values promoted there are not to their liking?

Savage power

The truth is that women have a great deal more power than they are willing to admit to. Men will behave in ways that will get them far with women. All the savage power that men supposedly have becomes quite tame and vulnerable in the embrace of a woman. As the late philosopher Timothy Leary once quipped: "Any woman who wants equality with men, lacks ambition."

I am, etc.,

R. HOWARD THOMPSON

roi_ane@hotmail.com

Rockton Drive

Mandeville, Manchester