1950's
Taken from a 1950's American High School Home Economics textbook, the essay is entitled "How to be a Good Wife." It reads in part:
Have dinner ready. Prepare yourself. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. Clear away the clutter -- run a dust cloth over the tables.
Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces, comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are God's creatures and he would like to see them playing the part.
Minimize all noise…eliminate the noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
Some Don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice.
Listen to him: You may have dozens of things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or other pleasant entertainments.
Tasha had something at school about this, and it really got me thinking. Well she is seeing a therapist about her life right now and she told her she needs to make a list about the things that she wants from a partner in life. Well I found the essay she was talking about, and although I do not want those exact things it sure would be nice to have some of these things. I am also trying to work on a list of the things that I want in someone. For instance a clean person, a caring mother, a good sex life, someone that does not just put all the stress of their day onto me as soon as they get home, someone that can cook (I love to cook, but I dont want to be the only person cooking), a very mellow person that is "a freak in the sheets and a lady in the streets, someone to complete and treasure me. Now for the feminist point of view. I do not expect all of these things stated above, but I would not mind a stay at home mom if I was treasured and not taken advantage of. I would also be giving all of myself and taking care of the house, cars, upkeep, and helping with all cleaning, cooking, and the raising of children.
Have dinner ready. Prepare yourself. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. Clear away the clutter -- run a dust cloth over the tables.
Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children's hands and faces, comb their hair, and if necessary change their clothes. They are God's creatures and he would like to see them playing the part.
Minimize all noise…eliminate the noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet.
Some Don'ts: Don't greet him with problems or complaints. Don't complain if he is late for dinner. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing and pleasant voice.
Listen to him: You may have dozens of things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first. Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or other pleasant entertainments.
Tasha had something at school about this, and it really got me thinking. Well she is seeing a therapist about her life right now and she told her she needs to make a list about the things that she wants from a partner in life. Well I found the essay she was talking about, and although I do not want those exact things it sure would be nice to have some of these things. I am also trying to work on a list of the things that I want in someone. For instance a clean person, a caring mother, a good sex life, someone that does not just put all the stress of their day onto me as soon as they get home, someone that can cook (I love to cook, but I dont want to be the only person cooking), a very mellow person that is "a freak in the sheets and a lady in the streets, someone to complete and treasure me. Now for the feminist point of view. I do not expect all of these things stated above, but I would not mind a stay at home mom if I was treasured and not taken advantage of. I would also be giving all of myself and taking care of the house, cars, upkeep, and helping with all cleaning, cooking, and the raising of children.