The Good Housewife Guide from 1955

Disgusting. Especially:

17.) Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment of 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.
 
SeaBreeze said:

1.) Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for your mate's return. This is a way of letting your mate know that you have been thinking about him/her and are concerned about your mate's needs.

2.) Most people are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially your mate's favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

3.) Be a little gay(your call)and a little more interesting for him/her. your mate's boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.(your call).

4.) Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your mate arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dust cloth over the tables.

5.) Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes.

6.) Children are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his/her arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

7.) Be happy to see your mate. Free your mate with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him. Listen to him.

8.) Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where you your mate can renew himself in body and spirit.
to
9.) Don’t greet your mate with complaints and problems.
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I took the liberty of removing the gender specific pronouns, and present this as just a good guide for the stay-at-home spouse, a good practice to support and show love for your life-mate.
 
'His topic of conversation is more important than your's and 'a good wife knows her place'. They missed all together the fact that her conversation was going to be about the home and his children and her "place" was mostly raising his kids. But the kids back then weren't revered the way they are today. "Children are to be seen and not heard" was the norm and the husband came before anything since he was the one who made their home possible. Keeping in mind most moms stayed home. Only the well off had the education to have a career and paid sitters for the kids. When the women's movement came it was exactly what they'd been wanting all their lives and it was Katey bar the door! We're coming through! Lol! Now I think men have been reduced somewhat and it hasn't been too good for a lot of them.
 
dearimee said:
'His topic of conversation is more important than your's and 'a good wife knows her place'. They missed all together the fact that her conversation was going to be about the home and his children and her "place" was mostly raising his kids. But the kids back then weren't revered the way they are today. "Children are to be seen and not heard" was the norm and the husband came before anything since he was the one who made their home possible. Keeping in mind most moms stayed home. Only the well off had the education to have a career and paid sitters for the kids. When the women's movement came it was exactly what they'd been wanting all their lives and it was Katey bar the door! We're coming through! Lol! Now I think men have been reduced somewhat and it hasn't been too good for a lot of them.
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It does depend how you view it. We do have a lot more than back in the 50's-- a two-paycheck family can afford a nicer home and send their kids to college. How many families even had two cars? A lot of housewives didn't even know how to drive! Women were not treated as an equal partner in a marriage though they worked their tails off. I don't know what you mean by reduced, it's not a contest, it's a partnership. Sharing financial responsibility should make lives easier for families, IMO.
 
On a Seinfeld episode, George was trying to get out of a mistaken marriage proposal to Susan. Kramer told him to ask for a pre-nup.

So George did. Susan just laughed and said, "I make more money than you do; So I'll sign it.

Give mea pen."
 
THE GOOD WIFE’S GUIDE: MODERNIZED-

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I'm not even going to touch the wife/husband discussion but.......


In the photo @ the bottom of post one, where the woman is wiping off the bathroom mirror. Notice the "faucet" on the sink . When I was a kid, my mother rented an apartment that had one like that. I thought it was cool, my mother hated it......
 
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