Mrs charles ulrick bay, wellknown new york broker, offers this advice. Heres the 1950s quiz that proves you are a terrible wife. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious mealon time. If their mothers acted this way, small wonder theyre confused by us millennium women. April 1, 1950 for the first time, the 1950 census counts a population in the united states over 150 million people.
From ingenious cleaning tips, ration book recipes and home decor inspiration, the homemaking methods of the 1950s give an entertaining and poignant insight into the lives of 1950s women. Refer to the first four commandments on how to be a good wife that edward podolsky gives in his 1943 book. The good wife s guide from housekeeping monthly, may, 1955. The good wifes guide housekeeping monthly may 1955 1950s. Fifty years ago, this bestselling book showed the american timeline. But we can all learn a little from reading about being a good housewife in the 1950s. Illustrated with contemporary linedrawings, it contains advice by turns delightfully arcane and timelessly true, for example. The following is from a 1950 s home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them. How to be a good spouse in the 1930s thought catalog. Women in the 1950s article 1950s america khan academy. I found an old book from 1954 that my grandmother actually used in her 1950s housewife days.
Things are very different from how they were in the 1950s. The text and supposed scan of the article have been widely circulated via email. An article titled how to be a good wife that is supposedly an excerpt from a 1950s. Having a good job that provides health benefits and enough income to keep your family comfortable should be one of the top priorities. Actually, if hubby takes his wife out for a date 7 days a week his highest score, by my reckoning, is 62 thats if he treats her friends well and doesnt blow his nose at table lol. The good wifes guide is a magazine article rumored to have been published in the may, 1955 issue of housekeeping monthly, describing how a good wife should act, containing material that reflects a very different role assignment from contemporary american society. The visual culture of everyday life in the 1950s harvard university press, 1996 328 pp. Housewife article from 1955 titled the good wifes guide is embarrassing we share because we care. A glimpse into marriage advice from the 1950s related articles this article features affiliate links to, where a small commission is paid to psych central if a book is purchased. The fifties history of human sexuality in western culture.
How to be a good husband in the 1950s our everyday life. Sittenfeld took the most notable events in bushs life and embellished to create a compelling literary fiction with drama, tension, and, most of all, feeling. How to be a good wife according to a 1950s book the good. Mar 18, 2017 from a 1950s home economics textbook intended for high school girls, this excerpt of advice prepares. The good wifes guide and advice for young brides the. In may of 1955, housekeeping monthly published an article entitled, the good wifes guide, detailing all the ways that a wife should act and how best she can be a partner to her husband. Aug 01, 2010 humorous reenactment of an article titled the good wife s guide, rumored to have been published in the may, 1955 issue of housekeeping monthly. How to be a good wife according to a 1960s textbook. How to be a good wife according to a 1950s book oversixty. It is called pictoral medical guide, and was published in 1954 with writings by 42 specialists at the time. The good wifes guide is a magazine article rumored to have been published in the may, 1955 issue of housekeeping monthly, describing how a good wife should act.
A trove of history as 1970s housewives lived it the atlantic. When we get glimpses of the way things used to be back before the divorce rate climbed to one in three, whether its a scene from mad men or the charts presented here, we try not to think that this might have been the way things were for our grandparents and greatgrandparents that marriage was a kind of pleasant business partnership in which both partners walked a fine line between. The basics the following is excerpted from an actual 1950 s high school home economics textbook. Do you ever feel guilty because you cant live up to this fantasy of the good wife. In the 1950s, suburban communities started booming. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. We never had to lock the front door and could leave the front windows open. The good wifes guide from housekeeping monthly, may, 1955. The following is from a 1950s home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them. Each of these were compiled of thousands of interviews with american people and presented. A list of ten steps on how to be a good wife supposedly comes from a 1950s u. There have been investigations arranged in order to find out the answer to this question, but nothing substantial has surfaced. How to be a good wife the good wifes guide, good wife, vintage. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return.
Its quite interesting and sometimes funny to see the differences in the expectations of women in that time compared to now. This good wifes guide is believed to have come from an issue of the magazine, housekeeping. This is a way to let him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned with his needs. The issue were perusing was edited by john mack carter, who spent 19 years at the top of the masthead. Mar 18, 2001 a list of ten steps on how to be a good wife comes from a 1950s u. An extract from a 1950s home economics book recently took the internet by storm, with thousands unsure whether to be shocked or amused by the cringeworthy marriage advice offered to women. How to be a good wife according to a 1950s book the good wifes. Nevertheless, the notion of the 1950s as happy days lived on.
America in the 1950s decades of american history 2005. The drawer by the wifes side of the bed was created for laborsaving devices among the most memorable merits. American wife is based loosely on the life of laura bushloosely being the operative word. Home browse history united states history 20th and 21st century u.
Heres an excerpt from a 1950s high school home economics textbook. This 1955 good house wifes guide explains how wives. This little guide was written for the middle classes of the 1930s who were reading one of the first modern selfhelp books. The typical 1950s wife stayed at home to cook, clean and take care of the children. My dad could, by himself, support a family of 5 and we went on vacations to palm spri. I find there is a different reaction depending on the gender. Discover librarianselected research resources on 1950s america from the questia online library, including fulltext online books, academic journals, magazines, newspapers and more. The good wifes guide goodreads meet your next favorite book. This good wifes guide is believed to have come from an issue of the magazine, housekeeping monthly in may 1955. The good wifes guide 1950s housewife vintage housewife housewife. Oct 01, 2016 things are very different from how they were in the 1950s. I had seen that same article because my husband brought it home and thought i should read through it. But youre right about the wifes high scoreit does seem a little rigged. Dec 07, 2016 an extract from a 1950s home economics book recently took the internet by storm, with thousands unsure whether to be shocked or amused by the cringeworthy marriage advice offered to women.
Though i admit once i worked out thanks, too, to s. I became interested in the book because the idea of the book came about because of an article the author came across titled the good wife s guide supposedly published in 1955 by housekeeping monthly. Starting in the 1950s sex was viewed as a key component of a healthy and. The basics the following is excerpted from an actual 1950s high school home economics textbook. This good wife s guide is believed to have come from an issue of the magazine, housekeeping monthly in may 1955. In may of 1955, housekeeping monthly published an article entitled, the good wife s guide, detailing all the ways that a wife should act and how best she can be a partner to her husband. The united states in the 1950s experienced marked economic growth with an increase in manufacturing and home construction amongst a postworld war ii economic expansion. Family became a powerful unit, efficient enough to subdue the demons of war that were haunting the common man. It has also been said that this guide is actually fake. Read it out loud for your friends and see the expressions on the faces of both the men and the women.
Top 10 books about women in the 1950s ahead of international womens day on 8 march, the historian picks the best writing about an era when females were not expected to have an independent. The good wifes guide was originally circulated as a fax, and then became a widespread email which lists 18 bullet points that all good wives should keep in mind when preparing the house for the husbands return home from work. Nov 21, 2016 i found an old book from 1954 that my grandmother actually used in her 1950s housewife days. Gives wife ample allowance or turns pay check over to her. Bored, lonely housewives have been skulking around american novels for half a. Things are very different form how there were in the 1950s. The two superpowers made and stored more and more weapons just in case the other side decided to start a war. And heres the 1950s test that urges husbands not to be. The cringeworthy marriage advice from the 1950s mail online. This 1955 good house wifes guide explains how wives should. I found an old book from 1954 that my grandmother actually used in her 1950 s housewife days. Humorous reenactment of an article titled the good wifes guide, rumored to have been published in the may, 1955 issue of housekeeping monthly. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Jul 08, 2018 a glimpse into marriage advice from the 1950s related articles this article features affiliate links to, where a small commission is paid to psych central if a book is purchased.
A checklist to help wives plan for the future for husbands. But we can all learn a little for reading about being a good housewife in the 1950s. But there are also certain elements that we seem to. The pictures are all from the 1950 s and some of the things you are advised to do to be the perfect housewife are hilarious.
A 1950s housewife collects heartwarming personal anecdotes from women who embarked on married life during this fascinating postwar period, providing a trip. Jan 19, 2010 these five marriage tips come straight from a 1960s homeeconomics textbook for real. The 14% increase since the last census now showed a count of 150,697,361. The list was supposedly first published in the may th 1955 issue of housekeeping monthly. Jan 25, 2014 circa 1976, good housekeeping boasted a circulation of roughly 5 million readers. This is a great book to have conversation about the good old days. I became interested in the book because the idea of the book came about because of an article the author came across titled the good wifes guide supposedly published in 1955 by housekeeping monthly. There have been investigations arranged in order to find out the answer to. The cold war and its associated conflicts helped create a politically conservative climate in the country, as the quasiconfrontation intensified throughout the entire decade. Arts and humanities us history the postwar era 19451980 1950s america. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time.
From ingenious cleaning tips, rationbook recipes and home decor inspiration, the homemaking methods of the 1950s give an entertaining and poignant insight into the lives of 1950s women. One demerit suggests that we should give less credence than ever to the myth of a singleincome1950s america ruled by high wageearning. Top 10 books about women in the 1950s books the guardian. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his. Circa 1976, good housekeeping boasted a circulation of roughly 5 million readers. A resource for sharing the latest memes, jokes and real stuff about parenting, relationships, food, and recipes. Retro sewing vintage sewing book quote funniest read. From the perils of courting to the inevitable list of wedding gifts to the household tips that any selfrespecting new wife should know, this book collects heartwarming personal anecdotes from women who embarked on married life during this fascinating postwar period, providing a trip down memory lane for any wife or child of the 1950s. A list of ten steps on how to be a good wife comes from a 1950s u.
In the 1950s, america underwent some major changes in the political and economic spheres, which in turn were responsible for its social makeover. Alfred kinsey published sexual behavior in the human male, and later in 1954 came its counterpart, sexual behavior in the human female. No spoilers as she did with prep, curtis sittenfeld tackled privilege in general and, to a lesser extent, white privilege, in this sweeping novel. These five marriage tips come straight from a 1960s homeeconomics textbook for real. And heres the 1950s test that urges husbands not to be sissies. Jul 15, 2014 the good husbands guide july 15, 2014 by sue nador 2 comments sue nador updates 1950s wisdom from the good wifes guide for todays husband or wife. Cultural effects single mother family poodle skirt i love lucy comedy of careers youth of the 50s beatniks popular tv genres of the 50s popular tv genres contd written media 19481952 saw 60% decline in movie sales in areas with tv major decline of movie theaters many film. The following is excerpts from a 1950s home economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life.
Mar 04, 2015 top 10 books about women in the 1950s ahead of international womens day on 8 march, the historian picks the best writing about an era when females were not expected to have an independent. List of books and articles about 1950s america online. Sittenfeld took the most notable events in bushs life and embellished to create a compelling literary fiction with drama, tension, and, most of. The public sentiment was to live a peaceful and a less complicated life. Elder book, 10 things you cant say in america, reproduces the text of. One demerit suggests that we should give less credence than ever to the myth of a singleincome1950s america ruled by high wageearning fathers. Cars were cooler, people spent more time with their families, and things were just simpler. Perhaps when measured against the great depression of the 1930s, the world war of the 1940s, the strife of the 1960s, and the malaise of the 1970s, the 1950s were indeed fabulous. The legend of the rms titanic has lived on in books, te. The good wifes guide housekeeping monthly may 1955. The good husbands guide july 15, 2014 by sue nador 2 comments sue nador updates 1950s wisdom from the good wifes guide for todays husband or wife. Leading up to the 1950s the united states had more conservative and traditional views, although change was on its way in johnson, 1997. The american wife goodreads meet your next favorite book.