Refrigerator Rights: Why We Need to Let People into Our Hearts, Our Homes (And Our Refrigerators)...and How to Bring Even More Close Relationships into Our Lives

by Will Miller, Glenn Grayson Sparks

Many Americans today feel stressed-out, over-extended, and disconnected...but they're not sure why, or what they can do about it. Therapist and ordained minister Dr. Will Miller has the answer. He advocates changing our hectic lifestyles to embrace the idea of "Refrigerator Rights"-establishing close connections with friends and family who are trusted enough to enter our homes and help themselves to whatever is in the refrigerator. Dr. Miller offers suggestions on how to accomplish this through:

€ Reaching out to those beyond our immediate family
€ Balancing self-care and care for others
€ Creating a sense of true community
€ Re-establishing vital social networks
€ Getting comfortable with not being constantly "productive"
€ Learning to go with the flow, take a detour, lose track of time in the company of friends...and rediscover the nourishment of relaxed, mutually satisfying relationships

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2002

Reviews

[Denise Kettering]

This book is pertinent to the current wave of loneliness that we see in contemporary society. This book questions how we make relationships, what we hold back from them, and how we replace real relationships with with media/social media. The book takes an active and needed look at the way relationships, but the author does not give many details about how to change the situation on a individual level. Overall, the book is a helpful evaluation of the ways that electronic and media culture have changed real relationships and what might be meaningful ways to change the dynamic.

[MLH]

Interesting theory that the issues many people face currently has to do with the erosion of Refrigerator Rights Relationships. "Refrigerator Rights" relationships refers to the types of people you have in your life that you are comfortable allowing open access to your fridge -- they see the "real" you -- when you are comfortable and relaxed and not when you are "playing hostess" and on your best behavior. Definitely provides food for thought.