Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by clever_girl_31
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts by Gary Chapman
4.0
3.5 Stars
The 5 Love Languages seems logical to me. It makes sense that people prefer to receive love in a certain way and that they also tend to give love in the way that they themselves prefer to receive it. Knowing which languages are your primary and secondary, as well as your spouse's (or really anyone you care about) love language can be vital to having a deep and satisfying relationship. I appreciated that each chapter had a list of possible gestures to try for each love language (words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch, and quality time). I agree that the book is heteronormative, but I do not see the point in complaining about that as other reviewers have--Chapman is writing a book for a Christian audience and has primarily counseled straight couples. However, I will say I was deeply troubled by one of the examples Chapman gave of counseling a woman whose husband would not even come in for couples' therapy, in which he suggests she engage in unenjoyable sex with her partner in hopes that he will begin to do more things for and with her (his love language is physical affection). According to Chapman, it worked and the marriage was saved, but, as a woman, I found that suggestion off-putting and demeaning.
The 5 Love Languages seems logical to me. It makes sense that people prefer to receive love in a certain way and that they also tend to give love in the way that they themselves prefer to receive it. Knowing which languages are your primary and secondary, as well as your spouse's (or really anyone you care about) love language can be vital to having a deep and satisfying relationship. I appreciated that each chapter had a list of possible gestures to try for each love language (words of affirmation, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch, and quality time). I agree that the book is heteronormative, but I do not see the point in complaining about that as other reviewers have--Chapman is writing a book for a Christian audience and has primarily counseled straight couples. However, I will say I was deeply troubled by one of the examples Chapman gave of counseling a woman whose husband would not even come in for couples' therapy, in which he suggests she engage in unenjoyable sex with her partner in hopes that he will begin to do more things for and with her (his love language is physical affection). According to Chapman, it worked and the marriage was saved, but, as a woman, I found that suggestion off-putting and demeaning.