I was in my comp 2 class and we were told to read an article out of House Keeping Monthly. It was a may issue from 1955. Our assignment was to read this article and basically judge whether the wives of 1955 had it hard, or if woman today should treat there husbands this same way. I want to ask you the same questions. Whether you are male, or female, married, or single I want to know,
Was this right, and should marriage still be this way? Why or why not?
Here is a copy of exactly what was written.
*Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have be thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed
* Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, 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 for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.
* Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.
* During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
* Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.
* Be happy to see him.
* Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.\
* 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.\
* Don’t greet him with complaints and problems.
* Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.
* Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.
* Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.
* Don’t ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. 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.
* A good wife always knows her place.
So I want you to tell me. Do you agree or no?
I'm not a wife, nor will I ever be, but I did read this. I was very intrigued. I knew something of that sort was the norm of that era, but I had no idea anyone was ever that outspoken about the way things "should" be. In that article, it seems to address things a bit too idealistically in my mind by saying, "[The husband] will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness." Though that should happen, it doesn't always. If I had a wife that would do all that for me, I would be the luckiest man in the world and would treat her accordingly, doing the same thing for her whenever and however I could. I think that much of what that list addressed should be strived for by every wife, but I would go further in saying that the husband should never stop courting his wife either. It can be really tough to treat every day like a "date," and that's not what I'm saying should be done. I just believe that there should be a mutual respect and love between husband and wife where selflessness overshadows any form of selfishness. Whenever a husband and wife always put the other first, I believe they will never want for anything themselves.
ReplyDeleteCarley, you are brave to take on this topic, but I am proud of you for it. Being married for 11yrs I can tell you that marriage is not easy but it is also the most rewarding IF you(anone in general) are married to the one God intended. That to me is the key. also it has to be a team effort. yes, a wife should do what she can to take care of things BUT a husband should also take care of his wife like God intended. A hubby and wife should be doing what they can to make the other happy. Let me hare an example that just happended yesterday. I am NOt a baker. I tried it once in the 11 yrs we have been married and it was not pretty! Yesterday I got a wild hair and made 4 loaves of healthy, homemade banana bread.Paul could not have been happier:) I got lots of hugs and nice comments about what a great wife and mother I am. that is exactly what I mean. IT is a partnership!!!! sorry this is so long. I am just passionate about marriage. There are a fwe books out there that I/paul have read that are great! First of all we taught a class on "The Love Dare" it is amazing!!!! Also, there is a book by Nancy Kennedy called"When perfect Isn`t enough" It is all about the Proverbs 31 woman. amazing study!!! I think it is a great thing that you are sharing that marriage is not all fun an games. young people NEED to hear that.
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