Monday, February 16, 2015

Married Monday: Comparing the 1950's Wife to Today's Wife


   
   Today I want to talk a little about what being a housewife meant in the 50s and how it compares to today’s wife.  These were taken from a 1950s Home Economics Textbook in a section called “The Good Wife’s Guide”.  For each of their guidelines I will share a take on it in terms of being a wife today.

Fun read on a good wife in the 1950s and comparing it to now

1950’s - Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

2015 - Now this one is not necessarily a crazy idea.  Many people including myself plan out their meals at least a day ahead I do mine a week at a time. Now it is not always possible to have dinner ready when he gets home. I attempted that when we were first married but it is just not reasonable when he was getting home before five. But I do think having dinner at a constant time each night would be something to aim for.

1950’s- Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

2015- Since many wives work as well and are not home before their husbands this is not always possible. Also you shouldn’t have to look amazing after a hard day anyway. But if you have the time take a second to brush your hair and maybe apply some fresh lip gloss. Look the way that makes you feel best, he will be glad to see you when he gets home anyway.

1950’s - Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, papers etc and then run a dust cloth over the tables. Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to relax and unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

2015 – So this one is a bit extreme, cleaning and dusting every day before he gets home. That’s not needed, but having a house that is kept clean is good. Some people chose to do it by cleaning a specific room each day and others do it all on one day. Trying to keep a house spotless while working takes hard work and your time away from your husband, having a clean house though makes me feel accomplished.  

1950’s - Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s faces and hands (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, and vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

2015 – First off I don’t have children but I do work with them. Washing faces and hands, and all the other things it mentioned before he gets home and then the chance they are still being clean when he is home is very small. Plus if you’re supposed to get yourself ready before he’s home as well there would just be no time while you’re cooking dinner. See how these guide lines are just not reasonable.  Maybe just trying to have them ready to see him when he gets home and greet him would be a good start.

1950’s - Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him. Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first – remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

2015 – What you have to say is just as important as what he has to say. A good thing to keep in mind is to be interesting and also be interested in what he has to say. Do be happy to see him though and ask how his day went.

1950’s - Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

2015 – Spending time apart with your own friends is important. He should be informing you of his plans so you know he won’t be waiting on him. But don’t freak out when he wants to go out every once in a while

1950’s -  Your goal: try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

2015 – So this is a bit overkill but the underlying point is good. You want your home to be somewhere you and your husband want to come home to.

1950’s - Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

2015 – Don’t take his shoes off, he can take care of that on his own.  When he gets home though let him be comfortable for a little bit and have him a nice cold drink ready is a sweet gesture.

1950’s - Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or question his integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

2015 – While biblically he is the leader of the household, he is not always right. Your opinions are important as well and most decisions should be made together.

1950’s - A good wife always knows her place.

2015 -  As a wife your place is next to your husband. Supporting him, listening to him, and being his friend.

   While some guidelines are a bit overdone, many have applicable points in today’s time and can apply to having a happy marriage.
I would love to hear your thoughts, leave a comment below.


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