Satire or Not?: How to Catch a Husband 101

For some, getting a B.S., B.A. or M.S. while in college is a top priority. Others may be focusing their efforts on a different set of letters -- Mrs.

Amber Estes, a sophomore from Athens majoring in public relations at the University of Georgia, recently penned an essay for the Red and Black in which she outlined the steps necessary to secure a husband while at college.

According to Estes, female students have only four years to attain security for their future.

“That’s right ladies, four years to find a husband. Every true woman knows how vital it is to find the right brilliant babe to father their children and replenish their bank accounts,” Estes wrote in the July 6 commentary.

Estes then proceeds to lay out six steps for catching a husband which include advice such as:

• “Spend your free time casually moseying around the law school, Ag Hill or Terry. This is where you’ll find the most ambitious guys, which directly correlates to how well they’ll be able to provide for you and your future mini Mr. Perfects.” 
• “On your first date, STAY CLASSY. A man won’t get down on one knee for a woman who is overly willing to get down on both of hers.” 
• “Once he does make you his girlfriend, the hard-to-get phase must end. Playing coy was fun, but coy does not a trophy wife make. This is the phase where you put this boy on lockdown.”

The commentary concludes with: “This is your chance to live happily every after. Encourage your man to go wherever the money is, and then stay by his side regardless of any circumstance. Pretty soon, you’ll be sipping sweet tea by the pool at the country club while some babysitter watches after Junior and Georgia Ann.” (Read the full essay here.)

Estes has received widespread publicity for the article including mentions by ABC News and the Daily Mail. She has also been the subject of criticism by those unsure if the piece was a meant to be taken seriously or is simply clever satire.

Even Red and Black readers seem unsure. Current results of a Red and Black poll show roughly half the respondents think Estes’ article was satirical, while nearly a third think it was not.

What do you think? Was Estes’ column all in good fun or is it insulting and demeaning to college women? Let us know in the comments.

You might also be interested in reading: