I recently came across an interesting article from a 1954 Home Economics textbook. The article is entitled, “How to Be a Good Housewife,”
While the title is self-explanatory, the supposed virtues espoused in the article itself are misguided to say the least, but sadly were the status quo back in 1954. As a modern day woman, I look back on the limitations of my female ancestors and think, “Wow, we’ve really come a long way.” But have we? How many of the “good housewife” expectations remain–paraphrased for political correctness but still there–in the media and minds of our society?

Despite a long list of powerful queens in Europe and strong historical figures like Cleopatra and Joan of Arc, women continue to be viewed as the subordinate sex. While the Constitution officially gave men of every age, religion, class, and race the right to vote in 1870, women would not get that right until half a century later with the passing of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920. Even today, women are not viewed as political equals and represent barely 10% of the United States Congress.

Clearly society still resists the idea of powerful women. Do the lessons we were so diligently taught half a century ago, “Don’t greet him with problems or complaints…Let him talk first” still undermine our ability to accept women as equals? Do men resent women who do confront them; do they still expect our respectful silence? And are we, as women, perpetuating these archaic expectations?

I think the answer is yes. And no. Take for example the multitude of “men’s” jokes centered on talkative women and man’s desire for silence. There is a lot of truth in jokes, and our society uses humor to buffer opinions that would be offensive if made as a statement. How many times have you seen a show where the main male character calls to his wife, “Honey! Bring me a beer!” And how many of these popular shows also feature a wife that is strictly a stay-at-home mom? And an unrealistically fit and good-looking homemaker at that. The “good wife” concept remains ingrained in the collective subconscious thanks to the prevalence of these images, and won’t be going anywhere soon.

We as women are partly to blame. The modern man was raised by a mother who diligently followed the “good wife” guidelines. This is what they were taught to expect. Modern women were raised by these mothers too, and many of us wanted to be just like them when we were little. Perhaps we are involuntarily submitting to these expectations. A quick overview of women’s magazines certainly suggests that we are. Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping, Ladies’ Home Journal—these are the best-selling women’s magazines and all of them carry the same “good wife” message. Even supposedly career woman-minded magazines like Cosmopolitan focus on how to get a date, how to look good for your boyfriend, how to get him to propose…

On the other hand, has the role of women in society changed? Yes. Finally, yes. Female college students may soon be the majority, and women are quickly expanding into fields that were once considered “man’s work.” Female doctors, lawyers, athletes, authors, and politicians are now commonplace and the percentage of female business owners is growing. Women are marrying later in life as they pursue careers before families, and even women with families are staying home less. Women no longer have to “try to understand [man’s] world of strain and pressure” because we’re in it now…like it or not.

Alana Morgaine
Alanas Cherished Treasures