How To Be The Perfect 1950❜s Housewife

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

Let’s all take a moment to appreciate the fact that we aren’t mothers and wives of the 1950s. This old-school extract from a Home Economics Book will have you cringing. Thanks to Little Boo-Teek for sharing.

Source: Little Boo-Teek Facebook

How Did Those Women Put Up With It?

When this post was recently shared on Facebook, we counted our blessings that mothers these days can have careers, stay at home, be treated as equal to her partner, and just all ‘round be damn well whatever she wishes to be. We couldn’t have said it better ourselves than what one of the social media comments read: “When you’ve completed this list of grandiose behaviour for the mere arrival of your husband coming home, take yourself down to the local river, put some rocks in your pockets and hope that your next life begins in the 1990’s..”

Our Favourite Bits Of Advice

We can’t actually believe that some of these were real- should we be disgusted or amused?! Big shout out to the May 1955 monthly edition of Housekeeping Weekly for these pearls of wisdom:

• Just Shut-Up: Basically, this is what the article is getting at. “Don’t greet him with problems or complaints…Don’t complain…Let him talk first.” Or, if you simply must speak, then “Speak in a low, soft, pleasant and soothing voice.”


• Put A Ribbon In Your Hair: I personally, would look ridiculous with a ribbon in my hair. Before hubby comes home, make sure you “touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking.”


• Wait on him hand and foot: Fluff his pillows, have hot or warm drinks within reach, and offer to take off his shoes. Really, this is just too much.


• Remember That Your Kids Are Accessories: “Wash the children’s hands and faces..comb their hair..change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.” Wow, just wow.


• Always at home? Get used to it: “Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to come home and relax.” We are bored just reading about it.

 

Ladies, we’ve still got work to do, but no doubt, we’ve come a long way!