It’s Valentine’s Day, which, of course, means it’s that time for everyone in the media to analyze the state of American romance. And this year, I’ve noticed, it seems all the talk has been over the idea that women should “settle” for a man instead of wasting their time looking for Mr. Right.

Much of the talk has been generated by a recently released book by Lori Gottlieb titled Marry Him: The Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough. The 42-year-old unmarried author (and single mother) writes that she squandered her most nubile years searching for an Adonis with the humor of Jon Stewart and the bank account of Bill Gates. As a high-achieving woman, she also believed a perfect man was her birthright. Compromise? No way. That would mean not being true to herself.  She was going to “have it all.” (more…)