Someone sent me a 1955 article from “Good Housekeeping” that blew my mind. Although many of the points outlined make sense, others would drive me to find an underground railroad to gain my freedom from imprisonment in my own home. A picture is worth a thousand words:
Let me take a few moments to outline the fact that rat poison is 97% corn and 3% strychnine. Although it tastes good to the rat, once that 3% of poison takes effect, there’s no turning back. The rat is dead within minutes. I wonder how many wives who ingested this article were able to survive emotionally and spiritually after reading it. I also wonder if I would have been able to live in an era where these points were common in practice and culture.
For example:
“Listen to him. 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.”
The first part, corn; the latter part, poison. What kind of blow is that to the self-esteem and confidence of a woman? Listening to my husband is of the utmost importance to me. I thrive off his communication with me. In fact, even deferring to him to let him talk first is a regular practice of mine. What I don’t agree with is quantifying the importance of the topics of conversations. My issues are no more or no less important than his. I care about what I talk about 100%, and I care about what he talks about 100%. It’s that simple for me.
How about:
“Don’t complain if he’s late home for dinner, or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he may have gone through that day.”
This one is 97% poison! Now granted, back then there were no cell phones, but beyond that, I can’t think of any reason why a husband would so blatantly disregard the feelings of his wife, whether a career woman or housewife in this manner (and the same vice-versa…why a wife would do that to her husband is beyond me). This statement may as well say, “Turn your mind off. Don’t ask him about the lipstick on his collar. If you see lipstick around his smaller head, kindly get him a washcloth to wipe it off.” Lord, have mercy, Jesus!
Read the rest of what is wrong with the 1955 housewife here!
The New Mr. Mom, Husbands at Home!
