It is hardly surprisingly that we meet a couple such as the Schmidts in this chapter. Quite often, it is the wife of an accused father who takes the most active role in fighting the therapist, seeking reunion with the child, and declaring her husband's innocence. There are several possible explanations. Perhaps the men are so shattered by the experience that they cannot deal with it. Or maybe it's just that males in our society don't generally deal with such emotional issues very well.
Some wives believe the charges, and marriages blow apart.
Thus Bob Sculley, who tells his story in this chapter, lost not only his daughter but his wife. Although she left him for a while, she eventually returned to the marriage, which continues under strained circumstances. Although their daughter will not speak with her father, she and her mother talk frequently on the phone. Husband and wife do not discuss the accusations. A surprising number of mothers have been accused of incest by their sons or daughters.