Cynthia writes about dating, sex, women’s history and getting the most from our Useful Males. In her book and blog, she also shares stories from many of the women she interviews. Her book, Dating for Fun and Profit: A Girl’s Guide to Useful Men is now available.

Background

Cynthia was born in Naples, Italy to a naval aviator and his wife. Her mother died when she was seven, leaving her father, a Highly Useful Male, with four young children. During an age when many fathers were absent on the home front, it was unusual to be raised in a single-father family. This experience, in addition to her father’s consistent emphasis on gender equality meant she was expected to make her way in the world. It also equipped her to question a status quo that considered women unequal and inferior.

Cynthia left Coronado High School at sixteen. An early introduction to Riane Eisler’s book The Chalice and The Blade inspired an on-going fascination with anthopology and women’s history. Added to an existing passion for science, socio-biology and the differences between the sexes, she began writing. After earning her degree in Economics from UCSC, she embarked upon what became a successful career in high-tech sales and marketing.

Cynthia tithes to charities that empower women and help children, and in 2004 became an Advocate for Victims of Domestic Violence via a program provided by Next Door. Cynthia is a pilot, marathon runner, and the mother of two children. They live in California with their pet cat, ball python and bee hive. Dating For Fun and Profit pulls from recent studies and research to emphasize why women should expect more from the men in their lives and how DFFP can help them get it.

Footnote: Cynthia’s grandfather, Dr. M. E. Melvin (a well-known Presbyterian minister of the time), published the book Royal Partnership in 1926 which described his vision of the ideal practice of “stewardship”. In essence it discusses his belief – which was not unusual at the time – that our good fortune in accruing assets is meant to provide us with the means to benefit others. It is to his legacy that Cynthia credits what she learned about the power of tithing, whether it be to charity or to a church.