Persistence of Richard Nixon (and Teddy Roosevelt)

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DCrawshawJr

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I was just looking up some history about Richard Nixon, and noticed that Nixon really had to be persistent to get Pat to even date him (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon#Early_career_and_marriage). Later on, I thought of the same persistence of Teddy Roosevelt with his first wife Alice (I read this account in another book; it wasn't in Wikipedia, I think Teddy said to one gentleman, "I will have her, but she will not have me", referring to one's feelings toward the other.).

Anyway, I wonder, why didn't these guys give up? I know that in today's world, "no means no", and to persist in this matter would be regarded as creepy. Was it just the times, or did these guys have more backbone than most?
 
I was just looking up some history about Richard Nixon, and noticed that Nixon really had to be persistent to get Pat to even date him (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Nixon#Early_career_and_marriage). Later on, I thought of the same persistence of Teddy Roosevelt with his first wife Alice (I read this account in another book; it wasn't in Wikipedia, I think Teddy said to one gentleman, "I will have her, but she will not have me", referring to one's feelings toward the other.).

Anyway, I wonder, why didn't these guys give up? I know that in today's world, "no means no", and to persist in this matter would be regarded as creepy. Was it just the times, or did these guys have more backbone than most?

I think you just called it very clearly.
 
It's not any one thing. But culture was different back then. Male and females roles were more distinct, and what the expectations were seemed more clear.
So I think that it was easier to be that way because it was more acceptable.
Also as news of crime is more easily accessible, and information readily available I think more women are less trusting.
There are other reasons that could play into it all. Trying to nail it down with one reason isn't really feasible.
 
So, they were like... stalkers?

Today, they probably would have been arrested
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Well, there are probably reasons why the women initially turned down those guys and then changed their minds. This is probably going to sound mercenary, but maybe Pat REALLY liked Nixon, but he didn't have a career, yet. I am not that familiar with his life. I know a little more about Teddy. Perhaps Alice REALLY liked him, but he was a bit of a flibbertigibbet, going off on expeditions to the Amazon, and things like that. Maybe she didn't think he was really ready to settle, so she turned him down. I think it is a mistake to think all the time the women didn't like them. I bet they were actually in love with them the whole time, or at least really into them.

Most women are not "Oh, I hate your guts- go away" and then "Never mind, I actually love you". I bet it was more of a case of "I really love this guy, but he is not marriage material, yet."