Women, listen up!
An online magazine has tips to keep your husband happy and in love, advice that would make June Cleaver, the paragon of marital perfection, blush.
Seemingly dismissing the paradigm shift in genders over the past 70 years, along with the tremendous accomplishments of women, an online publication shared a cringe-worthy story suggesting that women, like in the 1950s, are expected to be submissive, beautiful, and quiet.
And people aren’t sure if it’s amusing or insulting.
In the 1950s, the U.S. marriage rate was at an all-time high and getting married right out of high school, or while in college was considered the norm.
Though employment rates for women were starting to rise, many women in their early 20s were driven by domesticity, wanting to be a happy homemaker to a husband and children, or risk the label of an undesirable old maid.
A few years ago, a story–that was allegedly pulled from a 1950’s home economics test book–circulated, instructing women on how to be a good wife. As the story made its rounds, it created lively conversations over its controversial content.
Some of the rules of a wife included:
- Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before to have a delicious on time.
- Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair…
- Clear away the clutter: Make one last trip through the main part of you house before your husband arrives…
- Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces…
- Minimize all noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise…
- Some don’ts: Don’t greet him with problems or complaints.
- Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom.
Netizens jumped in with comments like, “Should I send this to my stay-at-home husband?” while another writes, “Tip #1 Don’t have a husband.” One of the few men who replied said, “if you’re a working woman, I don’t think any man would expect you to do this.”
Today, some women still aspire to be stay-at-home moms, while others are competing with men in the workplace, and both men and women are becoming single parents, which for women was frowned upon in the 1950s.
In August 2023, a New Jersey-based publication shared a story titled, “Give Your Husband These Things And He Will Always Love You, Feel Attracted To You.” Filled with archaic advice, it’s unclear if the content is genuine, or a hoax.
Some of the tips include:
- Give him comfort: Home is your husband’s unwinding domain.
- Give him emotional support: As a man, your husband will never open out about his problems. It is you who have to feel his pulse.
- Give him his space: Your husband sometimes likes to have his own personal space…This is how, your husband as a man is made like.
The story goes on, telling wives to never nag, share his interests, look presentable as “your husband dislikes you looking shabby and fatigued in his presence,” and never be emotional because “your husband becomes keyed up.”
Provoking responses from both genders, cyber fans had plenty to say about the story posted on Facebook, the majority of women offended, and men agreeing that a relationship is 50/50.
One woman writes, “I think these “suggestions” work for both husband and wife… very misogynistic to think they only have to be for the husband,” while another jokes, “What year was this written in?”
A man, who disagrees with the context, shares: “Who the hell wrote this?!?!?!?! This is terrible! It’s a two way street and everyone in the relationship needs to feel valued and loved and supported.” Another steps in with some sage advice: “Love, Honor and Respect need to go both ways. Share everything in life, hold nothing back and withhold nothing. Treat your spouse as you would be treated and keep a good sense of humor about you. Coming from someone with over 70 years of life experience.”
Research shows that the original story was not from a textbook, but a page from the John Bull periodicals, that was published in England from 1820 to 1964. It was recirculated as a hoax.
As for the story printed in August 2023, we’re unsure if it’s a hoax or a genuine appreciation of women in servitude of men. Of course, we are hoping it is not the latter.
What are your thoughts on this story? Please share and let’s find out what other men and women have to say about outdates societal behaviors!
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