My sister sent my mother an email yesterday and the contents were rather humorous. We often talk about what a man and a woman is but that has changed over time. In searching for the original, I found it in several different places and one was in a 1950 home economics book. I hope you enjoy reading about the 1950's gender roles.

Quote from: Dena on September 05, 2018, 02:45:51 PM
1950's gender roles.

This sounds very much like my role in the last decade of marriage.  Well, I didn't touch up my makeup 15 minutes before my spouse arrived home, but other than that...

I suppose that one has to bear in mind that 1955 was in the era when the occupation of housewife still existed and that even nowadays, many women want to know how to please a man (and vice versa) whether or not they plan to actually do so.

Even so, I can't help wondering whether the article is intentionally a little ironic:

"Let him talk first — remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours."

"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."

I was born in 1955.  My mother had many fine qualities but my earliest memories include my father dodging pots and pans when he arrived home.  If only he had shown my mother this article.  I doubt that it would have helped, though.

Huh?
"10.) 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."

This is laughable!

You ladies make me laugh! 

I remember the 1950's. I was born in 1949.

Keep in mind that in the 1950's men often wore a suit and tie just to go out of the house and only the daring women wore slacks outside as well. It was a different time with different standards of dress.

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on September 05, 2018, 03:13:31 PM
Huh?
"10.) 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."

This is laughable!

Yep. The last thing I need is another hour long gripe fest about how his manager treated him. It's bad enough when I have to smell the oil all over his clothes when they run stainless steel sheets.

Our relationship is very departed from the way things were in the nineteen fifties. Even better, my mother refuses to allow my husband to insist we have those roles, and she grew up during that time.

I have a memory of Mum having a 'get herself ready' and my sisters and I tidied up before Dad came home. I know that it didn't last and maybe that is why there is a memory; I'm reflecting now that possibly she saw an article as this and thought it was something to try.

Rule No. 4) Be a little gay...

No problem there...wife and I are still following that one today!  😜

Dad was in charge in our house. He picked what colour washing up gloves he wanted

Along with the gist of this thread, I always will remember the old televisions series re-runs such as:
Leave it to Beaver,  Father Knows Best, I Love Lucy, etc.

     The DAD was always in a suit when he came home from work and he wore his suit at the dinner table with well mannered kids all around the table, the family ate together and actually had cordial conversations with each other!!!

     The MOM was always seen in a house dress, never slacks, hair was always fixed up, etc.   And the dinner and the dinner table were always a perfect picture.

Just distant and fond memories for sure.
Danielle

As my older sister says "Back then your wife and kids were considered your property."

I've always love-hated this retro stuff. It is so amazing how far we have come.

Just think. Women did not even have the right to vote until 1968, when I was just 2 years old. Women were so disenfranchised, the only way they could survive was to get married and have children as soon as possible. My mother was in that position. Women have made so many leaps and bounds since women's liberation began, that we no longer must be subservient to men just to keep a roof over our heads. I am certain some politicians want to reverse that, but it ain't likely. As the current crop die out, women's rights can only grow.

I dont know about USA but I was born in 1948 in Hong Kong and my family had businesses throughout Asia. The female has always been master of the home and manages the finances, Only in public is the woman portrayed as submissive.

Quote from: Lady Sarah on September 05, 2018, 09:43:36 PM
Just think. Women did not even have the right to vote until 1968, when I was just 2 years old.

Women gain the right to vote with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

Quote from: Dena on September 05, 2018, 10:58:44 PM
Women gain the right to vote with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

@Dena
Dear Dena...
Many thanks digging our the facts on the rights of women to vote.  I was about to post the following but you apparently had faster fingers.....

The woman's suffrage movement is important because it resulted in passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which finally allowed women the right to vote on August 26, 1920

Hugs,
Danielle

A gentle correction.
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution granted American women the right to vote, a right known as women's suffrage, and was ratified on August 18, 1920, ending almost a century of protest.

Quote from: Lady Sarah on September 05, 2018, 09:43:36 PM
Just think. Women did not even have the right to vote until 1968, when I was just 2 years old. Women were so disenfranchised, the only way they could survive was to get married and have children as soon as possible. My mother was in that position. Women have made so many leaps and bounds since women's liberation began, that we no longer must be subservient to men just to keep a roof over our heads. I am certain some politicians want to reverse that, but it ain't likely. As the current crop die out, women's rights can only grow.

I have several copies of the constitution laying around for references. I even keep a copy of it in my computer bag. The jackpot is my phone where I have the constitution and a copy of the federalist papers so the information is always at my finger tips.

This was very entertaining! I have seen bits and pieces over the years, but not all of it in one place.

Anyways this was my favorite part

QuoteChildren 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 or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.

Clearly the author has never met my children..! my treasures are loud, rambunctious, opinionated, whiney and amazing human beings who would not be able to be quiet for more than the blink of an eye. Even that might be pushing it. And I can't imagine what it would be like to force them into the "kids place" box.

Then again, I clearly would make a lousy 1955 housewife , having original thoughts of my own and all. Maybe that's why I'm single?

Wow. Just....wow. I could totally see Tristan and Tyler liking the ideas in that article. My grandpa would absolutely love that article. I will have to show my grandma this so she can have a good laugh.