By Helen Andelin, Author of Fascinating Womanhood
Fascinating Womanhood is a book and also a course of study to help guide women in marriage that they might attain the greatest possible fulfillment and happiness in the husband and wife relationship. Although the philosophy is directed to women, men also benefit as the wife applies the teachings in daily living.
Fundamental Beliefs
We believe that a woman’s choice with what she does with her life should be respected. However, if she chooses marriage, she has made a choice, if she chooses children, she has made an additional choice. Her choices now become responsibilities. To succeed fully in the life she has chosen, she will need to make her career a career in her home.
We believe that the greatest contribution a woman can make to the well being of society is in the home, in building a happy marriage and family life. As she fills the role of ideal wife, her husband’s support, his refuge in a challenging world, she contributes greatly to the benefit of society. As she devotes herself to her children, inspiring them to noble goals, instilling in them moral values and preparing them to be useful citizens she benefits society immeasurably. What is there to equal this womanly effort in making the world a better place for all?
What is the Need?
Few marriages are truly happy ones - an estimated one out of thirty. The rest range from comparatively happy to miserable, and over fifty percent end in divorce. Husband’s and wives do not understand one another, the children suffer with their parents and there is widespread concern among educators, sociologists and other informed sources who see the home, the foundation of society, endangered.
What Does Fascinating Womanhood Teach?
Fascinating Womanhood teaches a philosophy based on fundamental principles of truth, in form women can readily understand. A woman learns how she can win and maintain her husband’s love and devotion while placing his happiness as a primary goal. She gains an image of the ideal woman, the kind of wife that will bring a man happiness and whom he can love and cherish. She learns how to become a fascinating woman, and how to understand men, their needs, problems and varying moods and how to react to them in a way to bring peace to the household, rather than discord. She also learns how to react when a man is thoughtless, unfair and harsh, and how to be charming when angry or hurt.
Fascinating Womanhood also teaches what the feminine role consists of and the happiness which comes with its fulfillment. Also taught is the masculine role, the respect due this divine calling and the man’s great need to be the leader of his wife and children.
Is Fascinating Womanhood Non-Denominational?
Although Fascinating Womanhood is religious in nature, it is not identified with any particular religion. The teachings are based on principles of truth, truth taught in many religions, especially in the Holy Bible. We have had remarkable success in reaching women of all religions, as well as all races, cultures, economic levels and educational backgrounds. It is for all women of all ages and situations. The principles have universal benefit and are for happy women as well as those whose marriages are beset with critical problems.
Vast numbers of people lack in varying degrees the measure of fulfillment they might enjoy if these principles were understood and practiced. This idealistic philosophy awakens women out of mediocrity into the celestial zone. They soon behold a vision of a truly happy marriage filled with love and tenderness, one where they are not only loved, but cherished. They learn that such a marriage is not only possible for them, but well within reach. It helps them realize they can be enjoying flowers rather than weeds. Although the teachings are directed to women, this does not imply that they alone are at fault for marital problems, but rather that they possess the power to renew a marriage.
Man of Steel and Velvet
Because of the widespread success of Fascinating Womanhood, request were made for a similar book for men, relating to the role of men and their responsibilities. This need was fulfilled in the writing of Man of Steel and Velvet, by Aubrey Andelin, husband of Helen Andelin. The book depicts the ideal man, his role in the family and also in the world. It explains the fundamentals of masculinity and what it takes to be a man, with the firmness of steel and the gentleness of velvet. It prepares him to succeed in his marriage, his family, his work and the world.
Who Are the Authors?
Aubrey and Helen Andelin are the parents of four sons and four daughters. For many years Aubrey was active in business in developing ranches and commercial property in Southern California and Australia. During this time Helen’s activities were home-centered, where she developed and practiced the philosophy she teaches with such
earnestness. She considers her foremost duty that of being a loving, loyal and supporting companion to her husband, and properly rearing and inspiring her children.
Helen’s interest in the subject of womanhood arose from the desperate need she observed around her. This led to a search for knowledge on the subject. As she began to gain insight she organized classes on the subject, classes she created and sponsored by herself, and which she gave free to the public. These classes were highly successful and provided further insight into common problems and furnished inspiration and additional ideas. Women began to seek her out for assistance in their problems, making her further aware of the widespread need for help.
Her ability to render service has developed from her personal study, meditation and search for knowledge, rather than from formal training. Likewise, her interest in writing came as a result of the necessity to make available to others the philosophy embodied in Fascinating Womanhood. She has had no previous writing experience.
It was while teaching classes that she felt a need for something in print and began writing her book. The women who surrounded her gave her great encouragement if not push to complete the book and make it available to all women. The writing was accomplished over a three-year period. To dispel any question on the subject, Dr. and Mrs. Andelin have always been happily married and never been married to anyone else.
Where is Fascinating Womanhood Taught?
These ideals of womanhood have been taught throughout the country and in some foreign countries, in churches, educational institutions, outreach programs, public classes, clubs and in private home. Churches of all denominates have given the greatest support, likely because they are more closely aware of the marital problems and identify with the answers taught in Fascinating Womanhood.
The Success of Fascinating Womanhood
The success of Fascinating Womanhood has been phenomenal. Well over two million copies of the book have been sold and thousands of women have taken the course of study. Results have been impressive and heartfelt as evidenced by thousands of letters and public testimonials in the classes, such as in the following comments:
Comments by Grateful Women:
“I truly believe that Fascinating Womanhood is the answer to all the pain in the hearts of women and the perplexity with which they face the problems that arise between husband and wife.”
“My husband and I were separated at the time I was introduced to Fascinating Womanhood. It took me exactly four months to win him back.”
“The sound, basic principles of Fascinating Womanhood should be a part of every young woman’s education, and what a difference it would make in the homes of our land.”
Fascinating Womanhood Classes
Many women make amazing improvements in their marriages by just reading the book and applying the principles. However a class, when taught by a qualified teacher with a sincere conviction of the subject, can provide greater enlightenment and encouragement to women who find these teachings such a new way of living, and thinking. In addition, there is strength in togetherness. When women get together in a common cause, they buoy up one another and even teach one another. In addition, enthusiastic women who are having remarkable success in their marriages, help build the class by recruiting their friends and neighbors.
To Become an Authorized Teacher
To become an authorized teacher, write to the Fascinating Womanhood office and request a Teacher’s Application Form. You are to complete this form, attach a recent head size photo of yourself and send it, along with a $6.00 application fee to the Fascinating Womanhood office, PO Box 219, Pierce City, Missouri 65723. We will then review this form and if we feel you qualify as outlined, send you a legal permission for the remainder of the present year and the year following, after which you may apply for renewal.
FW Teaching Materials
The Teacher’s Lesson Guide and the Student Workbook are available only to authorized teachers. They are no longer available to the public, on the Internet or otherwise. Any other teaching materials we develop will also be exclusively for the FW teaching program.
Discussions
For some time now we have had a discussion group on this website, that women may get to know one another, help one another and even teach one another. This has been quite successful in the number of visitors to the site and the sound advice given by the members to one another. Now, since this site will remain fixed and unchanging, the discussion group does not fit any longer, and therefore is being discontinued. Therefore, you may be interested in the alternative of joining the group described below.
A Mailing List Discussion Group
This is a mailing list for women who are interested in enriching their marriages and building their characters based on the concepts taught in the book, Fascinating Womanhood by Helen Andelin. We are just a group of women who want to help one another live the FW way. Mrs. Andelin is not a part of this group but she supports our objectives wholeheartedly. To join this group, please go to our email address below:
Scarecrow and Mrs. King:
For those who have been watching Scarecrow and Mrs. King on Pax TV, weekdays at 4:00 pm Eastern time, I have good news. The series is now available on uncut videos from Columbia House. To sign up for the series (88 episodes):
Call: Columbia House (800) 692-1000
http://www.fascinatingwomanhood.net
andelins@sofnet.com
August 2002
FascinatingWomanhood-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Or write: Columbia House
Customer Service Center
1400 N Fruitridge Ave.
P.O. Box 1114
Terre Haute, IN 47811-1114
I highly recommend this series. It is a slow moving romance built on appreciation, understanding, respect, full trust and like a golden thread, tender romantic love. There is something so special about it. I cannot approve of everything about it, as expected with modern day movies, but it is the best I’ve seen - fine acting, good directing and well written screen plays.
