This seems to be painting a picture of a WOMAN, specifically.
There are plenty of "delicate flower" men, but you conveniently avoided that topic.

says she'll talk about whiney guys later,and just be glad a writer is calling
out these dfs now!

I find your definition, delicate flower, curious. I think the title, arm jewelry or high maintenance, is more the style of woman you are talking about here. I have always thought of the delicate flower as someone who gets sick easily, who has a poor appetite and can't seem to stay robust and healthy. Someone to feel sorry for.

As to this type of gal... the fellow who wants her, wants someone who isn't really intereted in a partner, just someone to have sex with (whether she fakes or not, he doesn't care) and show off. The bitter pill comes if she can't maintain her looks, which is generally all she was selected for!!

I've recently been watching in horror as a young, male relative of mine dumped his intelligent, goal-oriented girlfriend who was in med school with him for a DF who is now his fiance. This new chicklet raves on her Facebook page that he is her whole world. As far as I can tell, she basically lives to make herself ravishingly beautiful for him and to do "little things" to make him happy. Of course, she isn't expected to have a real job or real opinions. She also seems to have learned that pouting requires less effort than a good argument. Maybe she thinks it looks cute too. This DF is a nice enough person and I have tried to engage her in higher level conversation, but it seems to scare her. I don't think she's dumb, just dumbed down to a point where she can't get up again. Any tips for helping a DF? Should I just look away?

I love the last writers line about pouting being more effective than an argument. ugh and true. Ds need to grow up b/c they get to be unattratcive older women nobody wants to be around, esp. their own kids.

"I've recently been watching in horror as a young, male relative of mine dumped his intelligent, goal-oriented girlfriend who was in med school with him for a DF who is now his fiance. This new chicklet raves on her Facebook page that he is her whole world. As far as I can tell, she basically lives to make herself ravishingly beautiful for him and to do "little things" to make him happy. Of course, she isn't expected to have a real job or real opinions. She also seems to have learned that pouting requires less effort than a good argument. Maybe she thinks it looks cute too. This DF is a nice enough person and I have tried to engage her in higher level conversation, but it seems to scare her. I don't think she's dumb, just dumbed down to a point where she can't get up again. Any tips for helping a DF? Should I just look away?"

You aren't aware that men like women who needs him. Too independent women are just too boring because they are not feminine and just like to compete. And of course you told your side of the story, you didn't lived like the guy with the "goal oriented" ex-girlfriend.

the problem is deep.
A man likes to feel loved and needed. If a woman is unwilling or unable to provide that, a man with options will look elsewhere.
Vulnerability is often human and attractive. "I don't need you.." is both a turn off and a lousy message to give a lover.
Staunch independence and invulnerability buys a lot of loneliness and the se4lf righteousness of the blog author --- sounds like "I'm better than all of you...I don't need anyone, I am never weak,,,, I am superwoman,,...." Only guy who wants her is superman ---look for him on Krypton...

The article can be summarized in four words: "Who is Dagny Taggart?"

A woman who can stand on her own 2 feet, yet expose her vulnerability to her partner and be interdependent with him is vastly different from one who actually hides her true self behind feigned worship and helplessness, while squelching her own identity and goals. Surely that is not what the last 2 posters were advocating? I was talking about the "Batting-Eye Bambis" of the world. I don't believe women need to wear a strap on and curse like a sailor at every male that walks by. Come on folks, you can be feminine, loving and caring without sacrificing yourself or dumbing down!

This has been a complaint of mine forever.I'm proud to say I have raised 3 intelligent,opinionated,caring young women,who would never dream of playing helpless to get ahead.But a lot of guys still fall for the DF's at least until they get tired of making all the decisions.

I have to say, I didn't get the "why" men ultimately reject DF's in this article. Only why these women are not emotionally mature. I also think Delicate Flower isn't really accurate either. Manipulative little girl, I think is...
Having said that, a man is not a man who seeks out and/or stays with a woman like this. To seek a DF out shows some immature psychological need that will never be fulfilled; a man who finds out later that she is a DF and doesn't leave will find himself changed at his core from always trying to cope with her neediness. This man doesn't value himself. A woman who is a DF needs to be told by her friends and family--she will never experience real love and partnership unless she grows up and learns cherish all her strengths and weaknesses.
I agree with an earlier comment--the mark of a real Woman is her core strength through vulnerability.

Give me a break. Read the comments posted by the men who explain why they go for these dopes and then you have an idea why they need them, which is because they feel weak themselves. It is the same reason men with little penises like skinny women which is so that they feel big in comparison. This is the emotional version. A big man in any respect doesn't need a woman to make him feel bigger.

If memory serves me correctly most people will have tried other coping mechanisms before falling into the belief that they do not have control over their lives and regressing into a less mature state of mind. I am just curiuos if there is a higher prevalance for substance abuse amongst these so called Dainty Flowers (DF's), and the individuals who fall into these addictive relationships. In such situations where a DF is not in a relationship would they compensate with substance abuse (drugs & alcohol) to compensate for thier emotional insecurity?

By all means I agree that it is good to be competent and to find your own voice, however that depends on a bit of introspection.