The Era of the "HAppy Homemaker"
In the 1950s, the cookie-cutter American family consisted of the breadwinner father, the homemaker mother, and several chiildren, all living in suburbs on the outskirts of a larger city. The roles and expectations of women in society have changed since the 1950s. Specifically, women during the fifties, were expected to be a caring mother, a dilligent homemaker, and an obedient wife. Back then, a wife was a "good wife" if she had dinner on the table the moment her husband walk in the door from his long and hard day at the office.
In a May, 1955 article of Housekeeping Monthly, an article titled "Good Wife's Guide" compiles a list of rules for women of the time to follow in order to be the "perfect housewife." One of the rules included in this guide states, " 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" (Housekeeping Monthly). All of the rules included in this guide center around pleasing the master of the house, the husband, and making the home a place of tranquility so he can relax after work.
In a May, 1955 article of Housekeeping Monthly, an article titled "Good Wife's Guide" compiles a list of rules for women of the time to follow in order to be the "perfect housewife." One of the rules included in this guide states, " 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" (Housekeeping Monthly). All of the rules included in this guide center around pleasing the master of the house, the husband, and making the home a place of tranquility so he can relax after work.
"I'm Going for my Mrs Degree"In the 1950s, thirty percent of women went to college. However, most attended not to aquire skills, but to find a husband. This was referred to as the MRS Degree. In 1956, sixty percent of the women that attended college, dropped out to marry. ("People &..."). While studying mate prefences, David M. Buss, a psychologist at the University of Texas, "found that in 1956, education and intelligence were together ranked 11th among the things men sought in a mate" (Stephanie Coontz). Finding a good cook and deligient housewife was much more important to men.
"The ideal 1950s man was the provider,
protector and the boss of the house" - Life magazine, 1955 |
"The ideal modern woman married, cooked and cared for her family, kept herself busy by joining the local PTA and leading a troop of Campfire Girls. She entertained guests in her family's suburban house and worked out on the trampoline to keep her size 12 figure."
- Life magazine, 1955 |