Princeton University Alumna

Princeton University Alumna March 14 Susan Patton is under fire for her remarks about husband-hunting at Princeton. But shes only upsetting people because, on some level, what shes saying isnt so crazy (photo credit: Andreas Praefcke) Susan Patton, a Princeton University alumna, believes that female Princeton undergrads should husband-hunt during their university years. And, unsurprisingly, Susan Patton has received quite a bit of flack for her controversial views. As she writes in a letter to The Daily Princetonian as reported by CNN, Your future and happiness will be inextricably linked to the man you marryAnd you will never again have this concentration of men who are worthy of you. Her essential argument is that when again in your life will you be surrounded by so many smart and successful people your own age? Never. While it may not surprise you since we tend to dip our toes into controversial topics as well, Susan Patton isnt completely wrong. What shes expressing is upsetting people because there is indeed some truth to it! First off, we are not advocating that the purpose of young women (and men) attending highly selective universities like Princeton should be to find a lifelong mate. The purpose of going to a university like Princeton should be to get a great education, to be surrounded by so many intellectually curious and talented peers who will go on to become lifelong friends of yours, etc. But why cant another item on the agenda be to find a mate should such an opportunity present itself? Susan Patton seems to be under the impression that every female wants a husband and on this point, she couldnt be more wrong. There are women out there who dont want to get married. There are women out there who want to marry women! Hello! But the general premise of her argument isnt so nuts. After college, youre just not surrounded by so many smart, intellectually curious people. Admissions officers filtered through a bunch of applicants in an already self-selecting process to choose your Princeton classmates. And, yes, many Princeton students happen to be good looking. Thats always a plus when looking for a mate, right? Anyhow, watch the CNN clip and see what you think about what Susan Patton is saying. Contrary to what Ashley Banfield says, Susan Patton is not a former president. Shes just an alumna of Princeton. Is what Susan Patton is saying so wrong or is she just defying a PC world? We lean towards the latter with the qualifiers previously mentioned.